LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today declared a state of emergency in Allegan, Eaton, and Mason counties and the cities of Lansing and Saginaw.  The declarations were requested by local officials and ensure that direct state resources will be made available to address immediate threats to public health and safety related to recent severe weather.

"These emergency declarations pave the way for the state of Michigan to immediately provide much-needed emergency response resources to support the efforts of local emergency personnel working to protect Michigan citizens," said Granholm. 

Governor Granholm's emergency declarations authorize the Michigan State Police (MSP), Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate all state efforts in preserving and acquiring state resources to assist with immediate threats to public health and safety related to the severe weather that began June 6. 

Executive Orders 2008-4 through 2008-8 will allow resources from all state departments to be deployed in local response efforts. 

Such resources include, but are not limited to personnel from Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and MSP, along with supplies, equipment, materials, or facilities from all state departments.  In addition to MSP and MDOT, various state departments, including the Departments of Environmental Equality, Military and Veterans Affairs, Natural Resources, may play instrumental roles in assisting local officials.

Local jurisdictions submit a request for a state of emergency or disaster under Public Act 390 when the situation is beyond the capability and control of local government and affects public health and safety.

To help monitor the situation, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) has been actively engaged since June 9, and SEOC personnel continue to work in collaboration with federal, state, and local officials.

Executive Orders can be found at www.michigan.gov/gov.

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