Feds deny Michigan request for homeowner aid following ice storm

FEMA has again denied the state’s request for help following a March ice storm that rocked Northern Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had appealed the initial denial in August, seeking funding to repair homes, utilities and risk reduction efforts
While the funding for home and utility repairs was denied, a request to fund long-term projects to reduce future risks, is still under review

LANSING — The federal government has rejected Michigan’s appeal for additional disaster aid following a historic ice storm in March that caused widespread damage and power outages across northern parts of the state.

In a letter sent this week and released Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that her request for funding to help residents with housing and disaster-related losses was unwarranted — as was a request for funding to repair damaged utilities.

Whitmer had initially requested the aid in late July, which was denied. She filed an appeal to that denial in August.

“After thorough review of all the information contained in your initial request and appeal, we reaffirm our original finding that the impact to individuals and households from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of the Individual Assistance program,” FEMA official David Richardson wrote in a Wednesday letter.

“In addition we reaffirm the determination that the designation of assistance of utilities is not warranted … therefore, your appeal for Individual Assistance and assistance for utilities is denied.”

Related:

President Donald Trump announced in July he was approving $50 million in assistance for storm recovery efforts. But that federal disaster aid approval was limited: FEMA approved assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments and certain private nonprofit organizations.

This week’s denial means Michigan residents who saw ice-covered trees fall on their homes cannot directly apply for federal aid.

Whitmer previously noted that at least one cooperative utility — Presque Isle Electric & Gas, which has about 35,000 customers — suffered an estimated $150 million in damages due to the storm and would potentially raise prices on members in order to recoup the losses.

Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the Michigan State Police’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, called the decision disappointing.

“Together with our local and state partners, we will continue to provide the support and coordination needed to help communities recover,” he said in a statement.

State lawmakers included $14 million for northern Michigan ice storm recovery in the new budget approved this month.

The House previously approved a $100 million relief plan that would provide financial relief for residents, small businesses and local governments. The Senate has not voted on that legislation.

While FEMA denied the state funding for personal home and utility repairs, it is still reviewing Michigan’s request for grant funding for long-term projects to reduce future risk associated with natural disasters.

The storm, which hit Michigan between March 28 and March 30, encased a broad swatch of the northern lower peninsula and southern tip of the upper peninsula in inches of ice, knocking down millions of trees, damaging homes and businesses, and devastating electrical infrastructure.

Many residents in the largely rural area spent days to weeks without power.