WHEREAS, a series of severe storms moved through central and southern lower Michigan between June 6, 2008 and June 8, 2008, causing significant damage to buildings, trees, electrical power lines, roads, and drains;
WHEREAS, the county of Allegan suffered widespread and severe damage from the winds and heavy rains of this storm including damage to over 41 residences, as well as to roads, a number of culverts, and public drains;
WHEREAS, numerous streets and roads within the county of Allegan remain impassable due to the flooding damage and impede emergency service access;
WHEREAS, remaining storm debris within public drains poses a threat to public health and safety;
WHEREAS, residences along Lakeshore Drive have been evacuated and remain inaccessible due to roadway erosion and broken gas lines;
WHEREAS, the county of Allegan has declared a local state of emergency for the city of Fenton 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 Allegan 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 Allegan 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 Allegan 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 10, 2008.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan this 13th 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
