GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In the wake of a devastating ice storm that struck the northern Lower Peninsula over the weekend, agencies throughout West Michigan are working tirelessly to support the affected communities. As of Thursday, thousands of residents from Grayling to Mackinaw City, and from Petoskey to Rogers City, remain without power, heat, or access to fuel.
The Salvation Army, based in Grand Rapids, has been at the forefront of disaster relief efforts, serving over 3,000 meals and distributing thousands of snacks and beverages since the storm’s onset. The organization’s Disaster Command Center in Grand Rapids has been instrumental in coordinating these efforts, despite the challenges posed by the storm’s widespread impact on the region.
“With three of our locations directly affected by the storm, getting services up and running has been a monumental task,” said Chris Striebel, Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army. “A lot of our pantry items were at risk of spoiling, so we quickly moved them to locations with power to cook. From there, we transported the prepared meals to shelters in need, ensuring they arrived safely while maintaining the necessary time and temperature controls.”
The Salvation Army’s relief operations extend across several prep kitchens in Traverse City, Cadillac, and Bay City, with food often being prepared hundreds of miles away from where it is eventually consumed. Canteen drivers, who brave treacherous conditions to deliver the food, have witnessed firsthand the extent of the storm’s damage.
“One of our drivers is traveling from Bay City to Montmorency County, which is a 280-mile round trip,” Striebel explained. “He described 120 miles of consistent destruction, with every tree either broken or covered in ice. Roads that were cleared one day are impassable the next. Recovery is going to take a significant amount of time, and they will need sustained support.”
In addition to The Salvation Army’s food and supply efforts, road clearing crews from at least three West Michigan counties have mobilized to help restore access in the hardest-hit areas. Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties have sent teams of workers and equipment to assist with the removal of fallen trees, utility poles, and snow and ice from roadways.
Kent County Road Commission Managing Director Jerry Byrne noted that the distance these crews are traveling is unprecedented. “In my 40-plus years here, this is the furthest we’ve ever sent people,” Byrne said. “We have mutual aid agreements with neighboring counties, but this situation is different. These communities called for help, and we answered. It’s what we do as public servants.”
Thirteen workers from the Kent County Road Commission traveled to Emmet County, bringing snow and ice clearing trucks, loaders, dump trucks, and chainsaws to assist with the cleanup. Muskegon County dispatched 15 workers and equipment to help clear the I-75 corridor, while Ottawa County sent eight workers and a fleet of dump trucks to the Alpena area on Thursday.
As the recovery efforts continue, the collaboration between local agencies, emergency services, and volunteers highlights the strength of West Michigan’s community spirit. While the road to full recovery may be long, the outpouring of support from both the Salvation Army and local road crews demonstrates the region’s commitment to restoring normalcy for those affected by the storm.
To aid in these efforts, The Salvation Army encourages those who wish to contribute to the recovery by texting “Disaster” to 24365.
