LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has written a letter to President Joe Biden which appeals FEMA’s decision to deny the governor’s Major Disaster Declaration request for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties following further assessment of tornado damage to the area.
Whitmer requested the declaration in June after four tornadoes and severe storms caused massive damage in those four counties on May 7.
The governor said, “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.”
There have been reports residents have been facing more difficulties as it relates to uninsured home and personal property losses. The City of Portage where major damage took place has declared a local state of emergency.
FEMA said in July the damage from the storm “was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”
Branch County Emergency Management Director Tim Miner said the EF-2 and EF-1 tornados that touched down in Sherwood Township caused significant damage along a six-mile path in Branch County. Miner adds nine homes were destroyed with another four homes sustaining major damage.
There were 24 homes that received minor damage while 19 homes experienced superficial damage. Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the impacted counties on the night of the storms.
An initial assessment of the damage estimated a need of more than $4 million in assistance. FEMA 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.
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