Gov. Whitmer appeals federal declaration denial for parts of Michigan affected by storms

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) decision to deny requested aid for multiple Michigan counties affected by summer storm damage.

On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to President Joe Biden via FEMA Region 5 Administrator Thomas Sivak requesting a reconsideration of the decision to deny the governor’s Major Disaster Declaration. This comes after further damage assessment in Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties, where four tornadoes and severe storms caused major damage in June.

On June 6, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden requesting a Major Disaster Declaration and activation of the federal IA programs for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties. That request was denied on July 23.

The Governor’s letter appeals FEMA’s July decision to deny the request.

“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,” said Governor Whitmer. “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.”

The storms that affected those areas caused around 16 injuries, major damage to homes and businesses, and power outages.

Governor Whitmer said the appeal comes after increasing reports of difficulties people face regarding uninsured home and personal property losses. Portage has additionally declared a local state of emergency.

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