Executive Order 2025-7: Declaration of State of Emergency

On May 15, 2025, a strong system of severe storms brought tornadoes, straight-line winds, heavy rains and flash flooding, which impacted many areas of the state. In the Upper Peninsula, localized heavy rainfall in Baraga County, up to four inches in the overnight hours, created flash flooding that flooded and washed out many roads and caused overflow issues and release into public waterways at a nearby wastewater treatment plant. Downstate, these severe storms brought a total of 11 confirmed tornadoes across lower Michigan. In the City of Lansing, a confirmed EF-1 tornado combined with straight-line winds caused significant damage to the utility infrastructure in a heavily populated area of the capital city. Power poles were snapped and lines brought down, affecting thousands of residents. Trees and other vegetative debris blocked roads and created obstacles for first responders and utility crews. In Allegan County, two EF-1 tornadoes and straight-line winds of up to 95 miles per hour caused significant damage to thousands of residents in 11 communities. Power poles and lines fell as well as trees, causing damage to homes and public infrastructure throughout these communities.

Two weeks after this storm system, all communities are still cleaning up and recovering from the event.  Local officials in Baraga and Allegan counties, as well as the City of Lansing, have taken several actions to respond to the situation, including but not limited to issuing local declarations. 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 Baraga County, Allegan County, and the City of Lansing. 
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 July 3, 2025, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.