Governor Whitmer Expands State of Emergency to Iron and Marquette Counties as Severe Weather Impacts State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2026 

Contact: press@michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Expands State of Emergency to Iron and Marquette Counties as Severe Weather Impacts State

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Iron and Marquette counties where residents have experienced severe flooding, making roads impassable. Both counties continue to experience high water levels due to significant snowmelt from a historic March snowstorm. 

"Today, I'm adding two additional counties to recent emergency declarations. This will help Marquette and Iron counties with ongoing recovery efforts," said Governor Whitmer. "As water levels across Michigan stabilize and drop, my administration will continue to work with local communities to get them what they need. I want to thank every first responder who stepped up to protect Michiganders and their property. Let's keep working together to recover and repair the damage."  

Communities throughout the state have experienced prolonged rainfall, rapid snowmelt, straight-line winds, or tornadoes causing widespread flooding, elevated river levels, and damaged roads, homes, and property. 

Impassible roads have made rescue and evacuation operations difficult in many regions and multiple rivers throughout the state have continued to experience rising water levels, threatening the condition of various dams. Multiple first-responders and other personnel have been working around the clock to address these conditions across the state. 

On Friday, April 10, the governor activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, which remains in effect.  

On Tuesday, April 14, Governor Whitmer elevated the SEOC activation to monitor weather-related events statewide. 

On Wednesday, April 15, the governor expanded the state of emergency declaration to Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Wexford counties.  

On Friday, April 18, the state of emergency was expanded to include the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon, and the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. 

By declaring a state of emergency, the governor has authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected counties.  

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is coordinating the state’s emergency response through the SEOC. MSP troopers are on the ground assisting local emergency response efforts.  

The declaration also allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act, Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended. The funding helps local governments cover emergency response costs and repair public infrastructure damaged by the storms.  

The MSP/EMHSD activated the Joint Information Center (JIC) as the source of state agency information dissemination. Find links to and sign up to receive MSP and SEOC news releases and follow Facebook and X or the latest information from the JIC. All media inquiries should be sent to SEOCmedia@michigan.gov. 

For more information about the statewide response visit michigan.gov/aprilstorms.  

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