LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of disaster for the city of Grand Rapids after severe winter weather that began on February 7, 2019 resulted in widespread extended power outages and hazardous driving conditions.
“Our first responders and volunteer services continue to work diligently to protect public health and safety, while utility workers continue efforts to restore power to the residents of Grand Rapids and I thank all of them for their work,” Whitmer said. “This declaration will ensure state assistance is available to help the community with recovery efforts.”
By declaring a state of disaster, Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the disaster area. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what MSP/EMHSD has already been doing in conjunction with local agencies.
“Throughout this incident, we have worked closely with our local emergency management partners in the city of Grand Rapids,” said Capt. Emmitt McGowan, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “Our staff will continue to partner with the affected community to make certain they receive needed disaster assistance.”
The severe winter weather that began February 7 knocked down trees and power lines across the city of Grand Rapids leaving 42,000 residents without power. As a result, the city opened its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to manage the response.
“We are focused on storm cleanup and recovering as quickly as possible,” Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “Our current services are deployed at full capacity. However, they are not sufficient to meet the significant needs across our city. This has led us to partner with the state to help secure additional resources.”
The city of Grand Rapids declared a local state of emergency on February 9, which activates local emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor’s declaration, the city has determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation and state assistance is required to protect the health, safety and property to lessen or avert the threat of a crisis.
