WHEREAS, a series of severe storms moved through central and southern lower Michigan, commencing on June 6, 2008 and continuing through June 13, 2008, spawning at least one tornado and causing significant damage to buildings, trees, electrical power lines, roads, culverts, public drains, and bridges;
WHEREAS, the county of Osceola suffered widespread and severe damage from the winds and heavy rains of this storm, including damage to over 145 residences, 3 businesses, as well as to roads, culverts, and bridges;
WHEREAS, the damage to roads, culverts, and bridges impedes emergency service access and poses a significant threat to public health and safety;
WHEREAS, the county of Osceola has declared a local state of emergency for the county and has activated the disaster response and recovery aspects of their emergency operations plan to the fullest extent possible to cope with the situation;
WHEREAS, the county of Osceola has determined that local resources are insufficient to address the situation and has requested state assistance;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM, Governor of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power and the authority vested in the Governor by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, order the following:
1. A State of Emergency is declared in Osceola County.
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police shall coordinate and maximize all state efforts that may be activated to state service to assist local government and officials in Osceola County, and may call upon all state departments to utilize available resources to assist in the emergency area consistent with the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.
3. The State of Emergency is terminated at such time as emergency conditions no longer exist and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of the emergency conditions but in no case later than July 16, 2008.
This Order is effective upon filing.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan this 19th day of June in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight.
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
BY THE GOVERNOR:
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SECRETARY OF STATE
