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Damage Assessments Begin This Week in Northern Michigan Counties Impacted by Ice Storm
Joint state and federal assessments are a key step toward possible disaster assistance for individuals, businesses, and communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2025
LANSING, MICH. The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) will join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and local officials this week to conduct damage assessments in areas hit hardest by the March 2025 ice storm that downed trees and powerlines, blocked roads, and disrupted critical services across Northern Michigan.
The teams will complete joint preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) to determine the storm’s full impact on homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. The results will help the state evaluate whether to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which could open the door to federal aid.
“Last month’s historic ice storm hit Northern Michigan hard, and we must keep working together to help families and communities recover and rebuild,” said Governor Whitmer. “The damage is extensive, and our neighbors need our help to get back on their feet. I’m grateful to all the first responders and line workers for all their work over several weeks to keep people safe and restore critical services. This damage assessment is a critical next step to figure out the full impact of the storm on families, businesses, and infrastructure to get state and federal resources out the door as fast as possible. I’ll work with anyone to help Northern Michigan, and we will get through this together.”
“Our priority has been supporting local emergency managers since the moment this storm hit,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “This next step in the recovery process is about doing everything we can to help residents, businesses, and communities get the assistance they need.”
Damage assessments will take place in two phases:
- April 22–25: Teams will evaluate impacts to homes and businesses for potential FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) programs.
- April 28–May 2: Teams will assess damage to public infrastructure and response costs for potential FEMA Public Assistance (PA).
Joint teams will be deployed to Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle.
The SBA’s presence means low-interest disaster loans may be available to qualifying homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits. SBA representatives will identify properties with uninsured damage of at least 40 percent of their pre-disaster value.
Not every affected property will be visited. Assessment teams will focus on the areas determined by local officials to have the most severe impacts. However, all locally reported damage will be considered in the final evaluation.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to continue reporting damage to their local emergency management agency. A self-reporting tool is also available at www.michigan.gov/icestorm.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready or follow MSP/EMHSD on X at @MichEMHS.
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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.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Lauren Thompson-Phillips
MSP/EMHSD Public Information & Preparedness Section Manager
[email protected]
517-216-0103
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