April 21, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2025
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Seeks Extension to Request Major Disaster Declaration Following Northern Michigan Ice Storm
Request comes in an effort to ensure local jurisdictions and municipalities have adequate time to complete response activities and assess impacts and damages
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer requested an extension from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit a request for a major disaster declaration following a historic ice storm that knocked out power and communications and left hundreds of miles of roads blocked by fallen trees and debris across the upper and lower peninsulas. Governor Whitmer has requested this extension to ensure local jurisdictions and municipalities are given adequate time to complete response activities and assess the impacts and damages.
“The historic ice storms in Northern Michigan have required an all-hands-on-deck approach to help get the power back on, clear roads, and keep people safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “With recovery efforts still ongoing, I am asking FEMA for an extension to submit a major disaster declaration request, so we can get a complete picture of what resources and support these local communities need as they recover from this devastating storm. We’ll continue coordinating closely with first-responders, local communities, our federal partners, and Michiganders on the ground. Michiganders are strong, and we’ll get through this together.”
Given the severity of the ice storm, local jurisdictions continue to be involved in prolonged response and recovery operations. Most impacted municipalities are still responding to the needs within their communities related to the incident more than three weeks later. Residents remain without power, with restoration efforts increasing in urgency. Local damage assessments have largely just been completed, laying the path for Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) that start this week.
“I fully support Governor Whitmer’s extension request for submitting the State’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration,” said U.S. Representative Jack Bergman. “This additional time will ensure our communities can fully assess the damage caused by the ice storm and submit a request that accurately reflects the needs of our District. This is a critical step toward securing the federal resources necessary for recovery and rebuilding.”
“This was a devastating storm that unfolded in slow motion, with wave after wave of ice and trees falling day after day,” said state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs).“Because of the magnitude of the damage, and the fact that it took weeks to even be able to access certain areas within the counties under emergency declaration, damage assessment takes much longer to accurately complete than what one may see in a shorter event like a tornado or hurricane. We hope that Governor Whitmer’s request for an extension is approved by FEMA, because northern Michigan is still in crisis.”
“We’re still picking up the pieces after this storm,” said state Representative Cavitt (R-Cheboygan). “Some folks just got their power turned on and some kids aren’t even back in school yet. Asking for federal support isn’t something you rush or guess. The governor saw first-hand how bad things got, so I’m thankful to her for recognizing the needs of our communities and working to get us more time to make this critical request.”
“While I feel it is very important for the state to act quickly in appropriating funds to support Northern Michigan recovery efforts, I think it is equally important that we obtain this extension from FEMA to ensure we have enough time to provide an accurate estimate of costs,” said state Representative Parker Fairbairn (R- Harbor Springs). “The state legislature can always look at increasing support a few months down the road, if needed, but we may only get one shot at federal disaster assistance.”
“Facing a storm of that magnitude meant we had to put every available resource into critical repairs,” said state Representative Borton (R-Gaylord). “We’ve hardly had time to look at the less emergent areas of need. I’m glad the governor isn’t rushing this process and is giving our communities the time we need to fully gauge the extent of the damages.”
To evaluate eligibility for that broader assistance, the State of Michigan will conduct Joint PDAs with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) beginning this week.
These joint assessments will determine whether the extent of damage meets federal thresholds for a Major Disaster Declaration. Based on the results, the state may request:
On March 31, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency to respond to the storm’s impact. The declaration initially covered 10 counties and has since expanded to include Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties. Governor Whitmer also deployed the Michigan National Guard to provide more personnel and specialized equipment to help with ice storm recovery efforts in northern Michigan. She also declared an energy emergency in the Upper Peninsula to help expedite delivery of fuel and other critical supplies to impacted areas. Last week, the Governor requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration that would expedite funding to the state to assist in debris removal. That request is still outstanding.
The full letter to request an extension from FEMA is here.
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