FEMA denies request for disaster relief after 4 tornadoes tore through West Michigan homes and businesses in May

KALAMAZOO (WWJ) -- The federal government has denied disaster relief for Southwest Michigan after multiple destructive tornadoes hit the area in May.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wrote to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says that, that based on the information that it had been given, it decided the storm damage was not of "such severity and magnitude" as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies.

Kalamazoo City Manager Patrick McGinnis said he was surprised and disappointed by the denial.

"When you're here in Portage and you're looking at it every day, and we still have such a long, long road ahead of us to get people back on their feet, it was a little big stunning," McGinnis said, in an interview with WWJ Newsradio 950's Beth Fisher.

"It's important to note that, you know, the request is for individual assistance; this isn't for assistance back to local governments," he explained. "This is for the individuals who are underinsured or not insured who have had tremendous loses to their homes and businesses and are unable to come up with the funding to get things back where they need to be. So, on their behalf I'm saddened."

McGinnis is joining West Michigan lawmakers in urging Gov. Whitmer not to give up on this.

"I'm hopeful that out governor will appeal, we'll be able to get additional date to the feds, and maybe get a reversal and get that declaration declared," he said. "Because our people that are feeling it her have truly lost a lifetime worth of work in some cases, and that's what federal emergency assistance is designed to correct."

Four tornadoes tore through Southwest Michigan on May 7 — in Portage, Texas Township, Pavilion Township and Union City. Officials said 60 buildings were destroyed and 129 suffered major damage.