Whitmer Signs Emergency Order for Holly and Tuscola County as Severe Weather Cripples Infrastructure

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order on April 28 declaring a state of emergency for the Village of Holly and Tuscola County, bringing the total number of counties under emergency declaration to 41, along with three municipalities.

The order comes after weeks of prolonged severe weather that brought historic flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds across Michigan. The declaration authorizes state resources to assist local response and recovery operations while allowing communities to seek federal financial assistance for emergency response costs and infrastructure repairs.

Emergency Declaration Details

The emergency declaration covers:

  • Village of Holly in Oakland County
  • Tuscola County

According to the Detroit News, the Village of Holly experienced extreme flooding at its wastewater treatment plant following a series of significant rainstorms earlier in April. The damage requires costly and ongoing repairs.

In Tuscola County, widespread flooding caused severe damage to roads, culverts and bridges. One roadway has been permanently closed until crews can complete repairs, according to Whitmer's office.

Timeline of Emergency Declarations

Governor Whitmer has been expanding emergency declarations throughout April:

  • April 10: Declared state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex
  • April 14: Elevated State Emergency Operations Center activation to monitor weather-related events statewide
  • April 15: Expanded declaration to 32 additional counties hit hard by severe weather
  • April 17: Added five more counties plus the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo
  • April 18: Expanded to include Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta and Muskegon counties, plus Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo cities
  • April 20: Added Iron and Marquette counties
  • April 28: Added Holly and Tuscola County

Whitmer said in a statement that "the impacts are unprecedented" and promised that communities will have access to the resources they need to recover.

State Response Coordination

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is coordinating the state's emergency response through the State Emergency Operations Center. MSP troopers are on the ground assisting local emergency response efforts, according to the governor's office.

Emergency Funding Available

The declaration allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan's Emergency Management Act, Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended. This funding helps local governments cover emergency response costs and repair public infrastructure damaged by the storms.

The state of emergency expires when threats to public health, safety and property no longer exist, or no later than May 26, 2026, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.