FEMA denies disaster declaration for May 7 tornadoes

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a request for a major disaster declaration for the tornadoes that tore through Southwest Michigan on May 7.

In a Tuesday letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that was shared with News 8 by state Sen. Sean McCann’s office, FEMA wrote that based on the information 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.”

“Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental federal assistance is not necessary. Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell wrote.

The letter said the denial may be appealed within 30 days, and added that “FEMA will coordinate with the State of Michigan to identify additional damage information to support an appeal if necessary.”

Whitmer had asked for the declaration for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. Such declarations make federal resources available for recovery. The Portage mayor and city manager told News 8 that the rejection means they’ll have to rethink how they were helping those affected.

McCann, D-Kalamazoo, said in a statement that he was “dismayed” by FEMA’s rejection.

“It is a disappointing determination that impacts real people,” he stated.

He said he had asked Whitmer to appeal.

The May 7 storms spawned four tornadoes in Southwest Michigan. Among them were an EF2 that tracked 11 miles through Texas Township, Portage and Pavilion Township, packing winds of up to 135 mph. The twister ripped apart houses and businesses in Portage and flipped mobile homes in Pavilion Township. A preliminary assessment determined at least 60 buildings were destroyed and another 129 sustained major damage.

There was also another EF2 that covered 19 miles from Centreville to the Union City area, an EF1 near Dowagiac and another EF1 in the Union City area.

There were injuries reported as a result of the storms, but no deaths.

The U.S. Small Business Administration previously approved a separate administrative disaster declaration for the tornadoes, which opened open low-interest loans for property owners affected by the storms.

With backing from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the city of portage has brought on Michigan-based nonprofit After the Storm to connect people with disaster case managers to help them get housing assistance, deal with insurance and sign up for disaster relief.

McCann also said the next state budget includes more than $3 million for people in Southwest Michigan. He added that the budget also includes the maximum deposit into the State Disaster Emergency Contingency Fund “so that there will be money already available for future disasters.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.