Photo by Susan J. Demas/Michigan Advance
Extreme rainfall and widespread flooding in July severely damaged roads and infrastructure, and exhausted local response capabilities, prompting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday to declare a state of emergency for Houghton and Ontonagon counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The July 23 rainfall caused flash flooding in Houghton County that tore up roads, culverts and storm sewers, impacting Chassell Township, Torch Lake Township, Stanton Township and the city of Houghton. The Houghton County Road Commission and local officials continue to report pavement collapses as roads dry out, the governor’s office said Thursday in a news release.
That same rain event washed out multiple roads in Ontonagon County, which led that county’s road commission to use more than 90% of its equipment on temporary road repairs. Those temporary fixes restored limited access, but permanent repairs would require substantial resources, materials and funding.
Whitmer’s emergency declaration makes available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts. That includes coordination with the Department of State Police’s emergency management and homeland security division.
“Michiganders in Houghton and Ontonagon were hit hard by extreme rain and are facing significant disruptions to their daily lives and major damage to their roads and infrastructure,” Whitmer said in a statement. “By declaring a state of emergency, we’re going to ensure every state resource is available to help them in their recovery efforts. We will work alongside local teams and get through this together.”
The declaration also opens the door to state financial assistance under Michigan’s Emergency Management Act, and potential federal assistance, although Whitmer earlier this week said President Donald Trump had reneged on a declaration approving portions of a disaster relief package for northern Michigan following devastating ice storms in the spring.
Regardless, the communities were grateful for the support in the wake of the July storms, said state Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) in a statement released by Whitmer’s office.
“Thank you to the local road commissions, emergency coordinators, and the Michigan State Police as well for their excellent assistance throughout this time,” McBroom said. “My office is ready to provide any needed assistance to repair and rebuild.”