LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for seven counties in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula on Tuesday following a historic winter storm. The declaration covers Alcona, Alpena, Delta, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Wexford counties to assist with recovery efforts after the region was buried under feet of snow.
The governor also issued a state of energy emergency for the entire state of Michigan. This measure is intended to ensure the rapid delivery of heating fuel to residents affected by the extreme weather and widespread power outages.
The emergency declarations follow a severe storm that hit the state between March 15 and March 16, leaving thousands without electricity and making many roads impassable. By formalizing the emergency status, the state government can provide direct resource support and financial assistance to local municipalities struggling with the aftermath of the blizzard.
The winter storm system moved through the region on March 15 and March 16. It dropped between two and four feet of snow across much of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Ice accumulation also caused severe damage in several areas, resulting in downed trees and power lines. Local officials have reported that many roads remain impassable due to heavy snow cover. Many residents are currently without power, with some counties reporting that a majority of their population is affected by outages.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emphasized that the declaration is intended to accelerate the recovery process. She noted that the state is focusing on clearing roads and restoring essential services. “This afternoon, I’ve declared a state of emergency for counties in the U.P. and northern Michigan to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to a historic blizzard,” Whitmer said. “By taking this action, the state can respond to local requests faster and make every resource available to local communities to clear roads, deliver fuel, fix damage and keep the lights on.” She also expressed gratitude toward first responders for their safety efforts.
Public safety officials are urging residents to remain cautious as recovery teams work to restore infrastructure. Col. James F. Grady II serves as the director of the Michigan State Police and the state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. He advised people to stay off the roads to allow crews to work efficiently. “As response and recovery efforts continue, we encourage all residents in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to stay home and stay safe when possible,” Grady said. “Avoiding nonessential travel helps keep our roads clear and lets first responders and road crews focus on the task at hand, clearing the way and ensuring safety for everyone.”
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is currently coordinating the state response through the State Emergency Operations Center. The emergency declaration authorizes the use of all available state resources to support local operations. Furthermore, the action allows eligible communities to apply for financial assistance through Section 19 of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act. This funding is designed to help local governments cover the costs associated with emergency response and the repair of public infrastructure damaged during the blizzard.