Whitmer appeals denial of disaster declaration for May 7 tornadoes

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny a major disaster declaration for the tornadoes that tore through Southwest Michigan on May 7.

Whitmer on Wednesday sent a letter requesting reconsideration, according to her office.

She initially sought the declaration for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. Such declarations make federal resources available for recovery.

But in July, FEMA denied the request . The agency said based on the information it had received, it decided the storm damage “was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

The state was granted 30 days to appeal, a deadline that was later extended to Sept. 21. The state has been gathering more information , and according to the governor’s office, the decision to appeal was prompted by “increasing reports of difficulties faced by residents, specifically as it relates to uninsured home and personal property losses.”

“Michiganders across southwest Michigan continue to rebuild and recover more than four months after the tornadoes and severe storms caused massive damage across the region,” Whitmer said in a release. “Damage reports continue to come in as people have lost their homes and businesses. In response, I am appealing the denial of a presidential disaster declaration so we can deliver critical financial assistance to support our resilient families, businesses, and communities as they recover.”

The May 7 storms spawned four tornadoes in Southwest Michigan. Among them were an EF2 that tracked 11 miles through Texas Township, Portage and Pavilion Township, packing winds of up to 135 mph. The twister ripped apart houses and businesses in Portage and flipped mobile homes in Pavilion Township. A preliminary assessment determined at least 60 buildings were destroyed and another 129 sustained major damage.

There was also another EF2 that covered 19 miles from Centreville to the Union City area, an EF1 near Dowagiac and another EF1 in the Union City area.

There were injuries reported as a result of the storms, but no deaths.

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