Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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August 24, 2021
EXECUTIVE ORDER
No. 2021-12
Declaration of State of Emergency
On August 11, 2021, two fast-moving storm systems swept through the lower peninsula of Michigan, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds that exceeded 60 miles an hour. The counties of Branch, St. Joseph, and Hillsdale experienced strong winds that caused significant damage to trees, property, and critical infrastructure and resulted in prolonged power outages.
In response, the counties of Branch, St. Joseph, and Hillsdale each declared local states of emergency, and local disaster response and recovery operations were activated. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient to cope with the situation. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to 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: