Branch County officials say FEMA funding unlikely as tornado clean up enters third week

UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – Clean up efforts in the Union City area are entering their third week following the deadly March 6 tornado.

As the costs continue to mount for both the county and property owners, Branch  County Administrator Frank Walsh says he doesn’t believe the totality of the damage will qualify for funding from The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unlike areas in Northern  Michigan that were hit by last years severe ice storm.. Walsh however does say Emergency relief funding from the state is possible, but will take time.

Walsh says their have been a lot of expenses absorbed  by the county but the costs could have been much higher had it not been for the leadership on the front lines of the response effort

Walsh says their number one priority from day one has been to not let the cost get in the way of doing what’s right for the people.