(WWJ) -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in multiple metro Detroit communities following severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that caused heavy damage late last month.
She made the declarations for White Lake Township, Armada Township and the Village of Armada after storms swept through the communities on July 24 and 25. Local authorities immediately declared states of emergency following the storms, but Whitmer's announcement Thursday will make more assistance available.
A state declaration of emergency will ensure state assistance gets to the areas affected by the severe weather as soon as possible, Whitmer said, per a press release.
"These communities were hit hard by the late July storms and tornadoes and our recovery efforts will continue to get people the help they need, where they need it, as soon as possible," Whitmer said.
By declaring a state of emergency, all state resources will be made available to the communities in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated areas. The declaration also 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 provided in conjunction with local agencies, the governor's office said.
Armada Township saw a tornado touch down on July 24 and the storm continued to move across the Village of Armada, significantly impacting properties in both the village and the township. Officials reported winds exceeded 100 mph during the storm.
"The immediate response efforts in Armada were an amazing example of a community coming together during a crisis," Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said in a press release. "As we transition to our rebuilding efforts, this designation from the state will provide much needed resources for residents and local businesses. I want to thank the Governor for her declaration and commitment to support this community."
A day later in White Lake Township, a severe thunderstorm and tornado caused widespread and severe damage, as storms continued to pound parts of Michigan.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said Whitmer's decision to declare a state of emergency in the affected communities "opens the door to resources our townships need to get their lives and properties back to normal,"
"I know they are breathing a sigh of relief in White Lake today," Coulter said.
In the immediate aftermath of the storms, each of the communities impacted declared local states of emergency, and local disaster response and recovery operations were activated. White Lake Township formally requested a governor's declaration on July 29 while Armada Township and the Village of Armada requested a governor's declaration a day later.
By requesting a governor's declaration, the cities have determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation. Whitmer's declaration concludes that state assistance is required to protect health, safety and property and to lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.
Whitmer's full Executive Order declaring the emergency can be found on the state's website.
