Executive Order 2021-8: Declaration of State of Emergency

On June 26, 2021, I issued Executive Order 2021-7 declaring a state of emergency in Wayne county due to heavy rainfall resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, flooded roadways, stranded motorists, flooding of homes, and displaced residents. This event has also caused widespread flooding in Washtenaw county and tornadoes in Huron and Ionia counties resulting in injuries, displaced residents, power outages, and damage to homes, farms, roadways, and other private and public infrastructure.

In response, the counties of Washtenaw, Huron and Ionia declared local states of emergency and activated disaster response and recovery operations. Despite these measures, local resources are insufficient to cope with the situation. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to, and recover from, the impacts of this emergency. The assistance of voluntary organizations and the state are required to protect public health, safety, and property, and to lessen or avert more severe and lasting harm to the community.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), "[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists."