Northern Michigan Deep Freeze Damage Short of Federal Threshold

Affected jurisdictions eligible for Community Development Block Grants

to repair damaged infrastructure
Contact: Ron Leix, MSP/EMHSD Public Information Officer, (517) 336-6464
Agency: State Police


Issued: July 25, 2014
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
(MSP/EMHSD) was notified that northern Michigan communities affected by the deep freeze last
winter did not meet the threshold for consideration of a presidential disaster declaration.
At the request of the MSP/EMHSD, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
conducted a virtual damage assessment to review the damages reported by local jurisdictions. Each
impacted community was asked to submit disaster-related costs and supporting documentation
including photos, invoices and payroll recordsto demonstrate damages from the deep freeze
incident.
FEMA concluded that $10.1 million in damages submitted were eligible toward the $13.7 million
statewide threshold, which is necessary before a presidential disaster declaration can be made.
"The protection of public health and safety remains our primary concern," said Capt. Chris A.
Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and
commander of the MSP/EMHSD. "We continue to explore all possible options to help these
communities recover and rebuild vital infrastructure damaged from this incident."
State Assistance Provided:
The state of Michigan has been coordinating resources to assist impacted communities throughout
the deep freeze. Services provided by the state to date include:
On July 22, the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) board approved a proposal by the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for more than $6 million in Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG) for northern Michigan counties affected by the extreme
cold and deep freeze. These grants will enable communities to repair damaged water and
sewer mains, roads and other vital infrastructure. Eligible jurisdictions must apply by August
18. Additional information is available at www.michiganbusiness.org/urgent-need.


Since the incident began, the MSP/EMHSD's seventh and eighth district coordinators in the
northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula have been onsite and assisting local
emergency management coordinators assess and report damages.

From May to July, the state of Michigan provided leak detection services to Marquette and
Delta counties to help identify broken water mains in affected communities.
Governor's Declaration
On April 17, Gov. Rick Snyder declared a "state of emergency" for Marquette County to ensure all
possible state resources, in accordance with the Michigan Emergency Management Plan, would be
provided to assist the local response to the damage caused by last winter's extremely cold
temperatures and deep frost levels. On May 7, the emergency declaration was amended to include
Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Delta, Emmet, Gogebic, Luce and Mackinac counties.
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is responsible
for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief
activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security
initiatives and various federal grants.