THE DICKINSON COUNTY Road Commission on April 16, 2023, closed the Sturgeon River bridge on County Road 577 in Vulcan to through traffic. The river had risen to flood the boat landing, as well as cover parts of the road. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that nearly $11 million from the state’s Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund will provide financial assistance to 17 counties across the state after three state of emergency declarations in the last 16 months.

The aid includes nearly $5.13 million to Upper Peninsula counties for damage caused by a rapid snowmelt in April 2023. Whitmer at that time declared a state of emergency in Alger, Baraga, Dickinson, Iron, Houghton, Gogebic, Marquette, and Ontonagon counties as rapid snowmelt due to warming temperatures and record precipitation led to floodwaters.

In some communities, the flooding overwhelmed storm water and sewer systems, burst dams, caused culverts and embankments to fail, and damaged other public infrastructure such as drinking water systems. Roadways and bridges suffered the most severe damage, with many left impassable. Some homes and businesses were damaged as well.

Baraga, Iron, Houghton, Gogebic, Marquette, and Ontonagon counties applied for DECF funding but Alger and Dickinson counties did not.

Dickinson County officials said Whitmer’s disaster declaration had caught them by surprise. Dickinson County Road 577 in Vulcan was temporarily closed April 15, 2023, by high waters but reopened to general traffic two days later.

Also announced Monday was nearly $4.3 million in aid for tornadoes and flooding last summer in the Lower Peninsula. On Aug. 24, areas in lower Michigan experienced several storm fronts that brought heavy rain, strong winds, and seven tornadoes.

Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne counties as communities experienced road and bridge closures; downed trees and power lines; damage to homes and other building structures, embankments, and road surfaces; overwhelmed stormwater and sewer systems; and deposits of silt and debris. Thousands of homeowners reported residential flooding.

Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne counties applied for DECF funding as a result.

The final piece of aid is $1.6 million for storms this spring in Southwest Michigan. On May 7, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes resulted in roughly 16 injuries and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and the power grid. Whitmer declared a state of Emergency for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties and all applied for DECF funding.

“Today’s disaster assistance will help Michiganders in 17 counties recover after tornadoes, flooding, and rapid snowmelt,” Whitmer said in a news release. “By declaring these disasters and working with our federal partners, we are making more state resources available to impacted areas more quickly and efficiently. Michiganders are tough, and we will rebuild and come back stronger the best way we know how–together.”

State statute provides that under extraordinary circumstances, the governor may authorize reimbursement from the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to provide state assistance to counties and municipalities when federal emergency reimbursement is not available.

The money can be applied toward costs associated with the response to a disaster or emergency, covering overtime for public employees, contracts, shelter supplies, gasoline and repair of public buildings and roads.

The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will administer the grant program.