(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden declared a major disaster existed in Michigan and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26.
The action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Eaton, Ingham, Iona, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne.
“Michiganders have been working hard to recover from the tornadoes and storms that caused so much damage across the state this summer,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “With today’s federal disaster declaration by President Biden, we will get the resources we need to support impacted families, businesses, and communities. Michiganders are tough. We will get through this the way we always have—together.”
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
On Aug. 24, areas in lower Michigan experienced several storms that brought heavy rain, strong winds and seven tornadoes.
Whitmer requested a Major Disaster Declaration as communities across the state experienced road and bridge closures, downed trees and power lines, damage to building structures, embankments, and road surfaces, overwhelmed stormwater and sewer systems, and deposits of silt and debris. Hundreds of homeowners also reported residential flooding.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
John F. Boyle of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
“This federal assistance will supplement the ongoing state and local recovery efforts and will directly help home and business owners affected by these storms,” said Col. James F. Grady II, state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and director of the MSP. “We encourage all affected residents to apply.”
