LANSING — In the wake of a catastrophic ice storm that paralyzed Northern Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has formally requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration to unlock up to $5 million in federal aid for immediate relief.
This historic storm battered 12 counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, leaving hundreds of miles of roads impassable and wiping out power and communications for thousands. The governor met face-to-face with President Trump on Wednesday to share a firsthand account of the destruction—and push for federal help.
“We’re throwing everything we’ve got at this,” said Whitmer. “I declared a state of emergency, deployed the National Guard, and fast-tracked every possible response. But this is just the beginning. After meeting with President Trump, I submitted a request for federal support to help local communities power through and rebuild. Michiganders are resilient, and we’ll get through this—together.”
If approved, the declaration would bring in critical resources for emergency operations, including massive debris removal and life-sustaining support.
“Federal help will turbocharge the efforts already underway,” added Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. “Our local teams are doing heroic work, and this is a crucial step toward long-term recovery.”
Although an Emergency Declaration doesn’t yet cover FEMA Individual or Public Assistance, Whitmer’s team is preparing for the next phase: a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, which would open the door to even more support, including direct aid to families and infrastructure repair funding.
Starting the week of April 20, state officials will launch Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration to determine if Michigan meets the federal threshold for major disaster aid.
Potential next steps include:
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Individual Assistance (IA) – Direct support for homeowners and renters
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Public Assistance (PA) – Reimbursement for local and tribal agencies to cover emergency response, debris removal, and repairs
The governor first declared a state of emergency on March 31, initially covering 10 counties—now expanded to 12: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle.
Whitmer also declared an energy emergency in the Upper Peninsula to accelerate the delivery of fuel and critical supplies and activated the Michigan National Guard to boost recovery efforts with equipment and personnel.
The full letter to the President requesting the Emergency Declaration is available
