Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking the federal government to reconsider its decision denying Michigan counties disaster assistance following May 7 tornadoes.
Damage was especially heavy in the Portage area, but affected were Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties. Congressman Bill Huizenga has joined Whitmer in her appeal to the Biden administration to reconsider the aid, telling us the feds got this one wrong.
“Look, I was on the ground the day after it hit and saw what the devastation was and it’s significant and I think it should qualify and should rise to the level of something other than just a minor small business administration program,” Huizenga said.
FEMA denied the governor’s original request for aid in July, saying the damage could be handled locally and without federal assistance. The governor in a letter to President Joe Biden says a reassessment of the damage is more than enough to trigger assistance. Huizenga says he’s added his voice to Whitmer’s to show there’s broad support for help for the areas hit by the tornadoes.
“I truly believe if the governor’s office didn’t believe that they had a shot with the administration, they probably wouldn’t be putting forward the appeal.”
The governor’s office says the decision to appeal the denial is based on reports of difficulties faced by residents, specifically related to uninsured home and personal property losses.
Huizenga says it’s worth taking a shot at another chance, adding it’s his job to ensure the residents of his district are being properly served by the federal government.
