MICHIGAN — Governor Gretchen Whitmer closed all nonessential state office buildings in 28 counties on Sunday due to extreme winter weather. The closures affect the entire Upper Peninsula and 13 counties in Northern Michigan through 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 17.
The decision comes as heavy snow, ice and high winds move through the region, creating unsafe travel conditions. The state government activated the State Emergency Operations Center at 10 a.m. Sunday to monitor the storm and coordinate response efforts with local officials and private sector partners.
governor Gretchen Whitmer noted that the storm is already creating dangerous conditions for residents. “Heavy snow, ice and strong winds are already impacting our northern Michigan communities, making travel unsafe on the roads,” Whitmer said. “As conditions are expected to worsen over the next 24 hours, I have made the decision to close nonessential state office buildings across the region. Please stay home and stay safe. We will get through this storm together, as Michiganders always do.”
The closures in Northern Michigan include Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle counties. Blizzard-like conditions are expected in these areas and officials warned that ice accumulation could become a significant issue in the northern Lower Peninsula.
In the Upper Peninsula, nonessential offices are closed in Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties. Forecasters indicated the Upper Peninsula could see record-breaking snowfall during this weather event.
The State Emergency Operations Center, located in Dimondale, is overseeing the coordination of resources between state and local governments. It is managed by the Michigan State police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. District coordinators from the division are working with local emergency management officials to address resource requests.
Lauren Phillips serves as the MSP/EMHSD public information and preparedness section manager. The division is encouraging residents to follow their social media channels for updates on the emergency activation and to visit the state’s preparedness website for safety tips.
Nonessential state offices are scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. State personnel will continue to monitor weather developments through the SEOC until conditions improve.