Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke with 9&10 News Wednesday about ongoing recovery efforts in Northern Michigan and the state’s role in coordinating emergency response to this weekend’s ice storm. Her full interview can be found below.
Whitmer spoke from the State Emergency Operations Center in Lansing, where Michigan State Police and other agencies are working help residents and restore power.
“It’s kind of an all hands on deck moment, from the locals to the state, with MDOT and DNR working to clear roads as well,” Whitmer said. “So we’re marshaling all the manpower and resources that we have.”
Whitmer says there are around 125 Michigan national guard members en route to sites in Northern Michigan, with another 350 expected to join in the next day.
This week, Whitmer declared a state of emergency in a dozen counties impacted by the storms, also lifting some truck weight restrictions to ensure more fuel and supplies can enter the area.
Whitmer says that she’ll be speaking with President Trump sometime Wednesday about conditions in Northern Michigan and to request federal assistance for response efforts.
“I will share with him what we’re seeing, what we’re bracing for, and lay the groundwork for the potential of a request from the federal government as well,” she said.
Whitmer encouraged anyone without essential travel needs to remain at home or in a safe place.