Executive Order 2021-10: Declaration of State of Emergency

On July 24, 2021, severe thunderstorms developed across the state, producing high winds, heavy rains, and in some areas, tornadoes. The National Weather Service confirmed that around 8:00 PM an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph struck Armada Township and the Village of Armada in Macomb County. Around the same time, another EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 100 mph struck White Lake Township in Oakland County. These areas saw concentrated damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure, downed power lines, destroyed trees, and scattered debris. Residents experienced sustained power outages, road closures, delayed emergency vehicle response times, and other safety hazards.

In response, Armada Township, the Village of Armada, Macomb County, and White Lake Township declared local states of emergency, and local disaster response and recovery operations were activated. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient to address the situation. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to and recover from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.

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."

Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I find it reasonable and necessary to order the following:

1. A state of emergency is declared for Armada Township, the Village of Armada, and White Lake Township.

2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize all state efforts and may call upon all state departments to use available resources to assist in the designated areas pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.

3. The state of emergency is terminated at such time as the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than September 2, 2021 unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.
   
   

Click to view the full PDF of the executive order.