Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the nearly $11 million from the state’s Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund, or DECF, for 17 counties after three state of emergency declarations in the last 16 months.
Eight counties in the Upper Peninsula will receive just over $5 million for damage from flooding due to rapid snowmelt in April 2023, while four counties in southwest Michigan will receive just over $1.6 million for tornado damage on May 7th of this year.
In the Lower Peninsula, seven counties will receive nearly $4.3 million for damage sustained from heavy rain, strong winds, and 7 tornadoes that moved across the state on August 24, 2023. Two of those counties include Kent and Ionia.
Those seven counties experienced road and bridge closures, downed trees and power lines, damage to homes and other structures, and overwhelmed storm water and sewer systems with silt and debris. Thousands of homes also reported flooding damage.
State statute says that the governor may authorize reimbursement from the DCEF to provide state assistance to counties when federal emergency reimbursement is not currently available.
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will administer the funds to the counties.
