Governor Declares State of Disaster

Liz Gullett

Mar 16, 2018

This week, Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster for seventeen Lower Peninsula counties and two cities affected by recent floods. Heavy Rainfall and snow melt on February 19-21 resulted in widespread flooding damage. The affected areas include: Allegan, Arenac, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Clare, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Mecosta, Newaygo, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Ottawa and St. Joseph counties and the cities of Grand Rapids and Lansing.

Along with the declaration, he opened the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to local governments named in the disaster. Through the fund, local governments in the declared counties can apply for grants to receive reimbursement for response costs up to $100,000, or 10% of their previous year’s operation budget, whichever is less.

By declaring a state of disaster, the governor has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts. It authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what they have already done in conjunction with local agencies.

Additionally, Governor Snyder requested the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) conduct damage assessments for eight Lower Peninsula counties to pave the way for a physical and economic disaster declaration. This would provide additional financial assistance to residents recovering from the floods. If approved, the SBA disaster assistance program would make low-interest loans available to eligible residents and businesses affected.

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