STATE OF MICHIGAN
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
LANSING

GRETCHEN WHITMER
GOVERNOR

GARLIN GILCHRIST II
LT. GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER

No. 2025-2

Declaration of State of Emergency

Beginning on March 28, 2025, and, in some areas, lasting through March 30, 2025, northern Michigan experienced impactful winter weather that resulted in extreme and severe ice accumulation that had significant impacts to critical services throughout the region. In particular, the region has suffered widespread power outages, including loss of backup generators; loss of phone and cellular services; and impassable roads due to downed trees and other debris. Though response efforts are still underway, initial damage assessments indicate that residents in this region have suffered significant consequences from these conditions including damage to homes and businesses, an inability of some residents and long-term care facilities to charge medical devices, lack of heat in homes and businesses, and the inability to recover fueling stations which is slowing the efforts of first responders in the area.

Local officials in northern Michigan, including but not limited to, in the counties of Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac, and Alpena have taken several actions to respond to the situation, including many counties which have issued local declarations like Oscoda, Alpena, Otsego, Montmorency, Cheboygan and Emmet. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient to address the situation. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to and recover from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), "[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists."

Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I find it reasonable and necessary to order the following:
 

1. A state of emergency is declared for the counties of Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac, and Alpena.
    
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Michigan Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize all state efforts and may call upon all state departments to use available resources to assist in the designated areas pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.
    
3. The state of emergency is terminated at such time as the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than April 28, 2025, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.

Date: March 31, 2025
Time: 11:10 a.m.    

 
GRETCHEN WHITMER
GOVERNOR
    
By the Governor

 
SECRETARY OF STATE