Governor Declares State of Emergency in Houghton Due to Flooding

News Summary

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Houghton and Ontonagon counties following severe flooding caused by summer storms, resulting in over $5 million in damage. The storms brought heavy rainfall, leading to extensive infrastructure damage, particularly in Houghton County. This emergency declaration will provide access to vital funding to support recovery efforts and facilitate repairs to the damaged roadways. Local officials emphasize the importance of continued support as communities rebuild and prepare for future weather challenges.

Houghton, Michigan – On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Houghton and Ontonagon counties due to severe damage caused by flooding from summer storms. The flooding, particularly the intense rain event on July 23, resulted in notable infrastructure damage across the affected areas.

The storms brought significant rainfall, with reports indicating as much as four inches of rain falling within a four-hour period. This sudden deluge triggered flash flooding in Houghton County, severely impacting regions such as Chassell Township, Torch Lake Township, Stanton Township, and the city of Houghton.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the flooding has inflicted damage exceeding $5 million on roads and other infrastructure in both Houghton and Ontonagon counties. Ontonagon County reported multiple road washouts that forced their road commission to utilize over 90% of their equipment for temporary repair efforts.

The declaration of a state of emergency unlocks access to Section 19 funding, which supports reimbursement for emergency expenses up to $250,000. This funding is crucial for Ontonagon County as they face reported damages surpassing $1 million. The county’s 911 Director and Emergency Manager highlighted the necessity of this financial support for managing ongoing and future maintenance costs, particularly with winter approaching.

In Houghton County, the Road Commission has filed a reimbursement request amounting to $2.5 million to cover the costs of permanent repairs. They are anticipating receiving $2 million from the state, with the county planning to contribute an additional $500,000 to address the damages incurred.

Plans for permanent repairs on the damaged roadways in both counties are already in the works, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin in late spring or early summer of the following year. The emergency declaration also facilitates the counties’ applications for additional funding from the Federal Highway Administration to assist in restoring critical infrastructure.

Coordination among state and local resources is being managed by the Michigan State Police and local emergency managers, as they work together to support recovery efforts in the wake of the disaster. State Senator Ed McBroom has acknowledged the essential role played by local road commissions and emergency coordinators during this difficult recovery period.

This situation serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that many communities face in the wake of extreme weather events. Local officials stress the importance of continued support and funding to ensure that the impacted areas can rebuild and better prepare for future challenges.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Upper Michigan’s Source
• Wikipedia: Flood
• Michigan Advance
• Google Search: Gretchen Whitmer state of emergency
• MyUPNow
• Google Scholar: Michigan flooding 2023
• Hoodline
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Natural Disasters
• Mining Gazette
• Google News: Houghton Ontonagon flooding