Emergency Declaration Expands to 5 More Michigan Counties After Severe Weather
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer adds five counties and two cities to Michigan’s growing weather emergency as flooding and tornado damage spreads across the state.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — Governor Gretchen Whitmer expanded the state of emergency to five additional counties and two cities Friday as severe weather continues to batter Michigan with flooding and tornado damage across multiple regions.
The emergency declaration now includes Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon counties, along with the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. The areas have experienced severe rainfall and tornadoes that damaged homes, roads, and businesses.
“This declaration will help these areas with recovery efforts as they work to clean up after severe weather damaged homes, roads, and businesses,” Whitmer said in a press release. “My administration will continue to work with local emergency managers over the weekend and monitor water levels across the state.”
Statewide Weather Emergency Grows
The governor first declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County on April 10 due to concerns about flood waters overtopping the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex. Those flooding concerns remain ongoing.
Whitmer expanded the emergency declaration Wednesday to 32 additional counties as severe weather persisted. Those counties include Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Wexford.
On Tuesday, the governor extended activation of the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor severe flooding and potential dam failure risks caused by warming temperatures and increased rainfall.
Dam Conditions Closely Monitored
Water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex were being closely monitored Friday afternoon. As of 3:30 p.m., the water level measured 7.32 inches below the top, down .24 inches from the previous measurement, according to state officials.
The governor noted that weather forecasts for next week appear more favorable, which should provide relief for first responders dealing with the ongoing crisis.
“The forecast for next week is looking better, which should provide some breathing room for first responders, but we aren’t out of the woods yet,” Whitmer said. “Let’s continue to stay vigilant, and we will get through this together.”
Recovery Efforts Continue
The state emergency declaration enables affected counties and cities to access additional state resources for cleanup and recovery operations. Emergency management officials continue coordinating with local authorities to assess damage and provide assistance to residents and businesses impacted by the severe weather.
State officials emphasized that residents in affected areas should remain alert to changing conditions and follow guidance from local emergency management agencies as recovery efforts continue throughout the weekend.
