Whitmer seeks extension to request federal aid for ice storm recovery

Max Reinhart, The Detroit News on Apr 21, 2025

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DETROIT — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said communities still are recovering from a devastating ice storm, with some residents still without power, that blew into northern Michigan three weeks ago, so the state needs more time to determine how much federal aid it might request for restoration.

On Monday, Whitmer sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, seeking an extension to submit a request for a major disaster designation. The governor said local jurisdictions and municipalities need more time to complete response activities and assess the storm's 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,” Whitmer said in a statement. “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."

In the letter, Whitmer asked Keith A. Turi, acting associate administrator of FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery, to give the state until May 29 to submit the request, which is due April 28.

Most municipalities still are responding to the needs in their communities, Whitmer said.

In her letter, Whitmer said some residents in the disaster area remained without power. According to online electric outage maps, counties with the most customers without power as of Monday afternoon included Antrim (403 outages), Mackinac (145) and Alcona (67).

“This was a devastating storm that unfolded in slow motion, with wave after wave of ice and trees falling day after day,” said state Sen. 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.”

Local damage assessments have largely just been completed, Whitmer said. The state will conduct joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration starting this week.

The assessments are used to determine whether the extent of damage meets federal thresholds for a Major Disaster Declaration. Based on the results, the state may request Individual Assistance, which is direct help for homeowners and renters, and Public Assistance, which is reimbursement for local governments, some nonprofits and tribal agencies for response costs, debris removal and repair of damaged infrastructure.

A spokesperson for FEMA Region 5, which includes Michigan, said the agency had received the state's request and was in the process of reviewing it.

A Michigan House committee last week advanced a bill that would designate about $75 million toward a relief fund to address issues from the ice storm. On Friday, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. said $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funding would be used to help the affected counties buy new generators.

The storm began on March 28 with a crippling ice storm followed by days of high wind that resulted in extensive damage to homes, businesses and electrical infrastructure. Widespread power outages were reported and roads were impassable due to downed trees and other debris.

On March 31, Whitmer declared a state of emergency for 10 counties, then added two more a day later.

She deployed the Michigan National Guard to provide personnel and specialized equipment to help with recovery efforts and declared an energy emergency in the Upper Peninsula to help expedite delivery of fuel and other critical supplies to the areas.

On April 11, Whitmer requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration that would expedite funding to the state to assist in debris removal. In a letter to President Donald Trump, she said electric utility cooperatives have estimated their response costs related to the storm will exceed $65 million, while the state's costs are expected to be more than $7 million. Local costs have not yet been calculated, she said. That request is outstanding.

“We’re still picking up the pieces after this storm,” said state Rep. Cam 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.”

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