RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Adds Five Counties and Two Cities to State of Emergency Declaration as Severe Weather Continues to Impact Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 17, 2026 

Contact: press@michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Adds Five Counties and Two Cities to State of Emergency Declaration as Severe Weather Continues to Impact Michigan 

LANSING, Mich.--Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon, and in the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo as residents throughout the state have experienced prolonged rainfall, rapid snowmelt, straight-line winds, or tornadoes causing widespread flooding, elevated river levels, and damaged roads, homes, and property. 

"Today, I'm adding seven additional counties and cities to our state of emergency declaration. This declaration will help these areas with recovery efforts as they work to clean up after severe weather damaged homes, roads, and businesses," said Governor Whitmer. "My administration will continue to work with local emergency managers over the weekend and monitor water levels across the state. The forecast for next week is looking better, which should provide some breathing room for first responders, but we aren't out of the woods yet. Let’s continue to stay vigilant, and we will get through this together.” 

Impassible roads have made rescue and evacuation operations difficult in many regions and multiple rivers throughout the state have continued to experience rising water levels, threatening the condition of various dams. Additional rainfall is expected in the coming days, increasing the risk of flooding. This severe weather poses a significant threat of widespread injury and displacement of residents in these counties and cities.   

Multiple first-responders and other personnel have been working around the clock to address these conditions statewide. 

On Friday, April 10, the governor declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, which remains in effect. On Tuesday, April 14, Governor Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) statewide to monitor weather-related events. That same evening, the governor declared an energy emergency statewide due to a disruption of gasoline supply at the U.S. Energy Cheboygan terminal on the Cheboygan River. On Wednesday, April 15, the governor expanded the state of emergency declaration for 32 additional counties.  

Information on current conditions and response efforts is available at michigan.gov/cheboygandam. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor has authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected counties.  

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is coordinating the state’s emergency response through the SEOC. MSP troopers are on the ground assisting local emergency response efforts.  

The declaration also allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act, Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended. The funding helps local governments cover emergency response costs and repair public infrastructure damaged by the storms.  

The MSP/EMHSD has activated the Joint Information Center (JIC) as the source of state agency information dissemination. All media inquiries should be sent to SEOCmedia@michigan.gov. For more information about the statewide response visit michigan.gov/aprilstorms.  

For more information on the current SEOC activation follow MSP/EMHSD on X and Facebook. For tips on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit  MIReady.   

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