GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in Allegan County after severe storms and two tornadoes swept through the area on May 15.
The declaration enables the deployment of state resources to assist local response and recovery efforts. It also potentially unlocks financial aid to help cover eligible costs associated with damage repair and emergency response. The state of emergency is set to remain in effect until July 3 at the latest, according to the governor’s office.
On the night of May 15, two EF1 tornadoes touched down in Allegan County — one near Hopkins and Dorr, and another close to Martin. These tornadoes were part of a larger outbreak that included 11 confirmed tornadoes across lower Michigan. Winds reached speeds up to 95 miles per hour, resulting in damage to homes caused by fallen trees and downed utility lines.
Preliminary assessments from Allegan County’s emergency management agency estimate approximately $2.2 million in damages caused by the storms. In response to the destruction, the county had previously declared a local state of emergency.
In addition to Allegan County, the state of emergency was also declared in Baraga County, which faced similar storm impacts, and in the city of Lansing, which experienced heavy rainfall and damaging straight-line winds.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and coordinate recovery efforts as residents begin to rebuild from the severe weather.
