The Eaton County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Jim Mott declared a local state of emergency on April 17 following heavy rain and storms that caused significant damage to the county’s infrastructure.
The declaration, made under Section 10 of the Michigan Emergency Management Act, enables Eaton County to seek additional resources as it responds to storm-related challenges. The activation of the Eaton County Emergency Operations Plan means local agencies are working together to identify and address failures in roads, utilities, and other essential services.
As part of its response, the county sent a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer requesting state assistance for both Eaton County and other eligible applicants like the Eaton County Road Commission and local governments. These entities have been struggling with the financial burden caused by recent severe weather events.
“More and more, local governments across the State are struggling with infrastructure expenses facing communities. We are requesting the State to assist us in our response,” said Eaton County Board of Commissioners Chair Jim Mott.
Governor Whitmer approved the request later that afternoon, expanding her ongoing state of emergency declaration to include seven additional counties and cities. This move is expected to help affected communities recover from storm damage impacting homes, businesses, and public roads.
The inclusion in Michigan’s broader emergency response effort is intended to speed up cleanup operations while providing needed support for longer-term recovery.
