LANSING (WWJ) -- Following a run of hot weather across the state, rapidly melting snow has caused flash floods in two Upper Peninsula counties, prompting Governor Whitmer to declare a state of emergency to help with recovery efforts.
Starting Tuesday, the Upper Peninsula experienced rising temperatures, which caused packed snow to melt, resulting in severe flash flooding in Gogebic and Houghton counties.
The flooding posed safety concerns, including road washouts and closures. Local infrastructure also sustained serious damage, including overwhelmed sewer and storm water systems, burst earthen dams, culvert and embankment failures.
A video posted by the U.S. Forest Service - Ottawa National Forest shows high, rushing water, highlighting the severity of the flash floods.
As a result, both counties declared a local state of emergency and requested that Governor Whitmer do the same.
By declaring a state of emergency, the counties activated local response and recovery plans. After determining that their resources were insufficient to handle the crisis, they requested that the governor declare a state of emergency as well.
Now that Governor Whitmer has followed through on the counties' request, local officials have access to any state resources they need to address health and safety concerns and make necessary repairs.
Through the governor's declaration, the Michigan State Police's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is charged with coordinating the state's response efforts.
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