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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April 21, 2023
On April 14, 2023, I issued Executive Order 2023-2 declaring a state of emergency for the counties of Gogebic and Houghton due to widespread flooding caused by the rapid melting of the snowpack. This same accelerated thaw has also caused widespread flooding in the counties of Alger, Baraga, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, and Ontonagon. These counties have experienced road and bridge closures; damage to culverts, embankments, and road surfaces; overwhelmed storm water and sewer systems; and deposits of silt and debris.
Local officials in the impacted counties have taken several actions to respond to the situation, including but not limited to activating the emergency response and recovery aspects of their emergency operations plans, issuing emergency public information, and otherwise utilizing local resources to address these conditions. Despite these measures, local resources are insufficient to respond to the widespread flooding and related damages. State assistance is necessary to effectively respond to, and recover from, the impacts of this flooding.
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 order the following:
1. In addition to the counties of Gogebic and Houghton, a state of emergency is also declared for the counties of Alger, Baraga, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, and Ontonagon.
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police shall coordinate and maximize all state efforts and may call upon all state departments to utilize available resources to assist in the designated area 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 May 12, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.
Click to view the full PDF of the executive order.
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