Release Date: September 24, 2003

Lansing, MI – The state of Michigan’s appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the President to declare a major disaster for the state as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding that occurred in the counties of Baraga, Gogebic, Marquette and Ontonagon from May 10 to May 26, 2003 has been denied.

The denial letter was forwarded today to the Michigan Emergency Management Division. According to the letter, FEMA determined that the local and state impact from the severe storms and flooding was not beyond the combined capabilities of the state and local governments.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm initially requested Federal assistance on June 4, 2003. The initial request was also denied by FEMA. However, based on the initial destruction and continued economic impact caused by this event, the state sought to bring its case to FEMA for reconsideration.

"The economic impact of lost wages, lost productivity and environmental destruction has hit the Marquette region hard, and I am disappointed that FEMA did not recognize the fact that state and local resources were inadequate to deal with the flood’s aftermath," Granholm said. "We will continue to explore options to make the Marquette region whole, such as the Community Development Block Grant I recently awarded to the community."

The flooding began in Baraga, Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties on May 10 and culminated several days later when an earthen dike on Silver Lake northwest of the city of Marquette failed, sending an estimated eight billion gallons of water cascading downstream through the city of Marquette toward Lake Superior. On May 15, 2003, Governor Granholm declared a State of Emergency for Marquette County.

A major portion of the economic losses was attributed to the shutdown of the Empire and Tilden Iron Ore Mines owned by Cleveland Cliffs, Incorporated. The shutdown of the two mines idled 1,500 workers and had an estimated economic impact to the area of $35 million.

The state is considering its options following the denial.