(The Center Square) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced President Donald Trump approved Michigan’s request for a major disaster declaration to help communities in Northern Michigan that were impacted by an ice storm earlier this year.
This declaration will allow 13 counties to request public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“With this initial support, we can help communities recover costs associated with cleanup efforts,” said Whitmer. “I want to thank the president and our congressional delegation for supporting our request, and I look forward to collaborating further on much-needed additional resources.”
That announcement came a day after Trump announced he also approved $50 million in federal funds for Michigan.
“I am approving $50 Million Dollars for the wonderful State of Michigan for Public Assistance to help them recover from the terrible Winter Storms they endured,” Trump posted to social media. “It was my Honor to do so!”
The March storm has been labeled “historic” by state officials. On March 31, Whitmer declared a state of emergency to respond to the storm’s impact. The declaration initially covered 10 counties, but was then expanded to include 12 counties.
Nearly 100,000 Michiganders were without power, while the storm left hundreds of miles of roads blocked by fallen trees and debris. Even the Mackinaw Bridge, which connects lower Michigan to the upper Northern peninsula, was closed for a time.
“Many Northern Michigan individuals, families, and small businesses are still recovering from the historic ice storms that hit our state earlier this year,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This federal emergency declaration will help local leaders, communities, and Northern Michigan families get back on their feet and move forward with their lives. While this storm was devastating, Michiganders are strong, and we will stand tall together.”
The state is requesting additional federal resources to further help with long-term recovery. The administration is reviewing those requests, which includes a request to approve individual assistance. That FEMA program could provide 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.
The state is also hoping for approval of additional public assistance funding, which would specifically address damages to utility systems, like water, power, and communication infrastructure.
“[Whitmer] will continue working with the administration to pursue further relief from FEMA,” her office said in a press release.
Little funding has yet come from the state legislature to aid in recovery.
So far, Senate Democrats have stalled on a $100 million disaster relief package, which the Republican-led House passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in May.
“The federal government’s support is a major step forward, and now the state must do its part to help these communities finish the job,” said Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton and chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “This is exactly the kind of situation where state government should be stepping up — to make sure local communities aren’t left to carry the entire burden alone.”
On June 11, the U.S. Small Business Administration separately granted an administrative disaster declaration to seven Michigan counties. So far, the SBA has disbursed $572,322 in loans for this disaster.
