Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking the U.S. Federal Government to reconsider its decision denying Michigan counties disaster assistance in the wake of the May 7 tornadoes in Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the governor’s original request in July, essentially saying the damage could be handled locally and without Federal assistance. The governor said in her letter to President Joe Biden said reassessment of the damage is more than enough to trigger assistance.
“Michiganders across southwest Michigan continue to rebuild and recover more than four months after the tornadoes and severe storms caused massive damage across the region. Damage reports continue to come in as people have lost their homes and businesses. In response, I am appealing the denial of a presidential disaster declaration so we can deliver critical financial assistance to support our resilient families, businesses, and communities as they recover.”
The governor’s office says the decision to appeal the denial is based on increasing reports of difficulties faced by residents, specifically as it relates to uninsured home and personal property losses. The hard-hit city of Portage has additionally declared a local state of emergency.
“This appeal is the right decision to help families and small businesses impacted by the May 7 tornadoes and storms across Southwest Michigan,” said U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Having been on the ground and seeing the aftermath first-hand, it is clear to me that there are still many unmet needs in Kalamazoo County. It is my hope that the Biden-Harris Administration will reverse its denial and make federal assistance available to those impacted in Kalamazoo County and across Southwest Michigan.”
The severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that struck the southwest part of the state, resulted in roughly sixteen injuries, and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and the power grid. Hail ranging from one to four inches in diameter was also reported along with dangerous straight-line winds. Debris removal and other storm related clean-up has lasted several weeks.
The night of the storms, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the impacted counties, directing state departments and agencies to use all available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) IA assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
