Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that President Donald J. Trump has approved Michigan’s request for a major disaster declaration to help communities impacted by severe storms, heavy rain, snowmelt, and nine confirmed tornadoes that caused widespread damage and flooding in 43 counties across Michigan between April 10 and April 21.
Iron, Marquette, and Menominee Counties are covered in the federal declarati0n.
“President Trump has confirmed that residents and communities across Michigan impacted by the April severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes will receive much-needed support through millions of dollars in federal disaster assistance,” said Governor Whitmer. “This funding will help families begin their recovery and provide critical resources to affected communities. I encourage everyone whose home or property was damaged to work with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration to apply for available assistance. While recovery will take time, Michigan is resilient and we will move forward together.”
“I’m grateful that President Trump acted quickly to approve FEMA funding for multiple counties across Michigan’s First District following the devastating flooding this spring,” said Upper Peninsula Congressman Jack Bergman. “These critical resources will help local communities continue the long process of recovery, repair critical infrastructure, and support families and small businesses working to get back on their feet.”
Federal Disaster Declaration
The declaration opens the path to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) programs for 27 counties, including: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wexford Counties.
All categories of the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program have been granted for 26 counties, including: Alcona, Alpena, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iron, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Tuscola, and Wexford.
About the Disaster
Following a historic March snowfall in Northern Michigan, snowmelt caused rivers and waterways to rise, placing stress on levees and dam infrastructure.
On April 10, Gov. Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in response to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, prompting a state of emergency for Cheboygan County.
As the state coordinated that response, multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall between April 13 and April 18 produced tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and major river flooding across much of Michigan. Hundreds of residents were displaced or stranded by floodwaters, numerous roads were flooded or washed out, and several dams required close monitoring due to overtopping and failure concerns.
During April, the National Weather Service issued 13 flash flood warnings, 24 flood warnings, and 25 flood advisories across Michigan.
State Actions
On Friday, April 10, the governor activated the SEOC and declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex.
On Tuesday, April 14, Governor Whitmer elevated the SEOC activation to monitor weather-related events statewide.
On Wednesday, April 15, the governor expanded the state of emergency declaration to Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Wexford counties.
On Friday, April 18, the state of emergency was expanded to include the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon, and the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.
On Monday, April 20, the state of emergency was again expanded to include the counties of Iron and Marquette.
On Tuesday, April 28, the state of emergency was extended a final time to include Tuscola County and the Village of Holly.
On June 5, Gov. Whitmer requested that President Trump declare a major disaster and requested the activation of both FEMA IA and PA.
On June 25, the governor requested the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issue a Rapid Administrative Disaster Declaration for Barry, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Gratiot, Kalkaska, Montcalm, Newaygo, Osceola, Presque Isle, and Wexford counties to make low-interest disaster loans available to eligible residents. SBA assistance is now available through the major disaster declaration.
Resources
Individuals who live in a designated county, whose home or property was damaged by the storms will be able to apply online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Loan applications are also available online or by mail. For additional information on low-interest SBA loans or the application process, visit the MySBA Loan Portal or call 1-800-659-2955.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers and SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will be established in affected areas. Locations will be posted on the Statewide Flooding website when available.
Disaster Background
In 2026, Gov. Whitmer has requested two major disaster declarations from the president.
On April 1, Governor Whitmer requested the presidential disaster declaration and activation of the FEMA IA program to help Southwest Michigan communities in Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties recover from deadly tornadoes.
On May 31, FEMA officials denied that request.
Gov. Whitmer appealed that denial on June 23. That appeal is still pending.
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