LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Despite a social media post from President Trump earlier week suggesting a reversal on FEMA funding for southwest Michigan victims of March 6 tornadoes, Governor Whitmer’s office says that’s not the case.
The governor’s office issued a statement Thursday saying while the president 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, her 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 was denied by FEMA officials May 31, and an appeal is still pending.
The governor appealed the denial June 23, and it included a concentrated, bipartisan push from Michigan lawmakers, including Democratic Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, alongside Republican Representatives Tim Walberg and Bill Huizenga, who backed Whitmer’s official appeal by arguing that the state’s recovery resources were entirely overburdened by consecutive severe weather events.
The declaration for the northern and western Michigan counties only opens the path to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance 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.
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