July 28, 2006

Lansing - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed Executive Order 2006-17 declaring a State of Emergency in Oscoda County, offering state assistance to fix three primary county roads damaged by severe thunderstorms. The Executive Order allows Oscoda County to apply for up to $30,000 in grant funding from the State Disaster Contingency Fund to repair the roads.

On July 17, a series of severe thunderstorms dropped between 3 and 5 inches of rain within a two-hour period requiring county officials to close roads in Big Creek and Elmer townships. The Oscoda County Road Commission has been unable to open the roads to traffic due to damage.

Officials from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will work with the Oscoda County Road Commission to determine what state resources are needed to return the roads to working condition. The MSP will also assist county officials in completing the State Disaster Contingency Fund grant application. The State Disaster Contingency Fund, established under 1976 PA 390, provides grants to eligible counties and municipalities for public damage when federal assistance is not available.