Governor Whitmer Appeals FEMA Denials of Key Disaster Aid Programs Following Devastating Ice Storm in Northern Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2025

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Governor Whitmer Appeals FEMA Denials of Key Disaster Aid Programs Following Devastating Ice Storm in Northern Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appealed multiple federal disaster aid denials after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) failed to approve key portions of Michigan's request for critical assistance in the wake of the historic March 2025 ice storm that devastated much of northern Michigan. While local municipalities have been approved for and received federal funding, individual families, businesses, and utilities have been denied.

“Many Northern Michiganders are still reeling from the impacts of the ice storm that devastated communities earlier this year,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan families and businesses deserve the support they need to recover from these storms. That’s why I’m appealing FEMA’s disaster aid denials. I’ll keep fighting like hell to deliver relief for our residents, local governments and utility providers.”

“We’re working hard to provide relief to individuals, families, and small businesses in Northern Michigan following this year’s devastating ice storms,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Unfortunately, residents, business owners, and utilities aren’t getting what they need. We are appealing FEMA’s decision not to approve key parts of our request, and we’ll continue Standing Tall to help northern Michigan recover.”

“Northern Michigan was devastated by the ice storms earlier this year, and families and businesses are still struggling to rebuild,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “Recovery will continue to be out of reach without these critical resources from FEMA, which is why I support Governor Whitmer’s appeal. Michiganders deserve better.”

"Northern Michigan families and small businesses have shown resilience in the face of this once-in-a-generation ice storm, and now FEMA needs to step in to do their part," said U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan). "That's why I support Governor Whitmer's appeal of FEMA's denial. Michigan deserves these resources so we can rebuild and move forward."

“Northern Michigan families and communities are still carrying the burden of the devastating ice storm, and they deserve the full support of FEMA to recover. I’m committed to fighting for the resources our region needs, which is why I strongly support Governor Whitmer’s appeal to FEMA’s denial,” said Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI 1st). This is about standing up for Northern Michiganders and ensuring we are not left behind.”

"I have personally experienced the devastation caused by this year's horrendous ice storm, and my top concern is that individuals are able to access relief since they have paid such an enormous price to get back to normal," said State Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs). "I am also deeply troubled by the costs that our electrical co-ops have faced which total hundreds of millions of dollars. While we are all grateful for the federal support that has been approved, I very much support Governor Whitmer's efforts to appeal the decision by the federal government to deny individual assistance and help to our utilities, who otherwise will have no choice but to pass those costs on to residents."

Between March 28 and 30, a severe ice storm paralyzed northern Michigan with extreme ice accumulation, causing prolonged and widespread power outages, hazardous conditions, and record levels of infrastructure damage. On July 22, 2025, President Donald J. Trump approved a federal disaster declaration authorizing FEMA Public Assistance (PA) funding for emergency work and certain permanent repairs across 13 counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

However, FEMA denied assistance for: 

• PA Category F, which would fund permanent repairs to damaged utilities. 

• Individual Assistance (IA), which helps residents with housing and disaster-related losses. 

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which funds long-term projects to reduce future risks. 

“We are working directly with our partners at FEMA to ensure the full impact of this storm is understood,” said Colonel James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police (MSP). “The MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division has been engaged in this disaster response since day one and will continue to support our local communities through all aspects of recovery.”

The denial of PA Category F funding has significant implications for smaller electricity companies, or rural electric cooperatives, which were among the hardest hit.

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op (PIE&G), which serves more than 35,000 members in northeast Michigan, reported catastrophic damage. According to the utility:

• 99% of members lost power, some more than once.

• More than 2,800 utility poles, 900 transformers, and 3,800 miles of power lines were destroyed. 

• Restoration took over 400,000 work hours and required a complete rebuild of PIE&G’s electric grid in just three weeks. 

• Nineteen of 20 substations lost power.

• Estimated recovery costs are $150 million - 115 times more expensive than any storm in the cooperative’s history.

• A $20 monthly emergency storm recovery fee per electric meter was approved by members on June 24. 

• If PIE&G members are forced to repay $150 million plus interest, it would amount to at least $4,500 per household. 

Great Lakes Energy (GLE), a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving rural families and businesses across northern and western Michigan, reported the following: 

• Estimated restoration and recovery costs exceed $155 million.

• Without FEMA assistance, costs will be passed directly to GLE members.

• As a not-for-profit co-op, GLE has no investors. According to the utility, every dollar spent must be recovered through member-paid rates.

• Members will face significant and sustained electric rate increases, beginning this year and continuing for many years.

• Rate increases will cover:

• Immediate storm restoration, recovery, and debris cleanup.

• Long-term financial impacts, including interest on emergency loans and depreciation of damaged infrastructure.

The State of Michigan has 30 days to submit a formal appeal, providing FEMA with updated data and compelling justification for why these programs are essential to support long-term recovery.