EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2026-3 Amended Declaration of State of Emergency

Beginning on March 15, 2026, a severe winter storm system hit multiple counties in the Upper Peninsula and the Northern Lower Peninsula, producing heavy snowfall, high winds, and icing. Reports indicate that residents have experienced power outages in homes and hospitals; impassable roads; and damage to homes and businesses because of heavy ice and snow. In response, on March 17, 2026, I issued Executive Order 2026-2 declaring a state of emergency for the counties of Roscommon, Delta, Alcona, Alpena, Missaukee, Ogemaw, and Wexford, in addition to a state of energy emergency for the entire State of Michigan. This same storm front has similarly impacted the County of Osceola, which likewise sustained widespread damage including power outages at businesses and homes, as well as numerous impassable roads due to debris and downed electrical lines.

Local officials in Osceola County have taken several actions to respond to the situation, including declaring a local emergency, activating the emergency response and recovery aspects of its emergency operations plan, issuing emergency public information, and/or otherwise fully using local resources to address these conditions. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient. 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. While the current balance of the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund will not be adequate to address this and the other recent natural disasters that have occurred in this State over the last months, the Legislature can make additional funding available so that communities throughout the state can recover from these emergencies.

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. In addition to the counties of Roscommon, Delta, Alcona, Alpena, Missaukee, Ogemaw, and Wexford, a state of emergency is also declared for Osceola County.     
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Michigan 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 in Osceola County 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 April 21, 2026, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.  

This Order is effective immediately.

Thank you for your cooperation in its implementation.

Click to view the full PDF of the Executive Order.