Governor Whitmer Appeals Federal Declaration Denial for Southwest Michigan

LANSING, MI - On September 11, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Joe Biden via Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 5 Administrator Thomas Sivak requesting a reconsideration of the decision to deny the governor’s Major Disaster Declaration request for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties following further assessment of damage to the area. The governor requested the declaration in June after four tornadoes and severe storms caused massive damage across the affected counties on May 7. The 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 decision to appeal the denial of the governor’s request for activation of Individual Assistance (IA) programs is based on increasing reports of difficulties faced by residents, specifically as it relates to uninsured home and personal property losses. The hard-hit city of Portage has additionally declared a local state of emergency. 

“This appeal is the right decision to help families and small businesses impacted by the May 7 tornadoes and storms across Southwest Michigan,” said U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Having been on the ground and seeing the aftermath first-hand, it is clear to me that there are still many unmet needs in Kalamazoo County. It is my hope that the Biden-Harris Administration will reverse its denial and make federal assistance available to those impacted in Kalamazoo County and across Southwest Michigan.” 

The severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that struck the southwest part of the state, resulted in roughly sixteen injuries, and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and the power grid. Hail ranging from one to four inches in diameter was also reported along with dangerous straight-line winds. Debris removal and other storm related clean-up has lasted several weeks. 

The night of the storms, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the impacted counties, directing state departments and agencies to use all available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts. 

At the state’s request, a joint preliminary damage assessment was conducted by state, federal, and local officials beginning on May 15. The initial assessment estimates a need of more than $4 million in assistance. 

On June 6, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Joe 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) IA 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.