FEMA denied May 7 disaster declaration. What now?

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — Southwest Michigan homeowners were disappointed when they learned the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state’s request for a major disaster declaration.

John Conroy, who lives in the Oak Brook Estates in Portage, told News 8 Wednesday that while the area looks much better now than it did the night of the May 7 tornado , the sounds of chainsaws and hammers persist.

“I hope the governor does appeal and I hope for a better outcome next time,” he said.

In a Tuesday letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer , FEMA said that the initial information submitted did not demonstrate the May 7 storm damage was of the magnitude necessary to grant individual assistance in Kalamazoo and surrounding counties.

In a statement released to News 8 Wednesday, a spokesperson said Whitmer’s office was “disappointed” by the denial and is evaluating its next steps.

Following the storms, a joint preliminary damage assessment was conducted by state, federal and local entities. Its initial findings estimated a need of more than $4 million in individual assistance. The state had asked FEMA for grants to help with temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

“This was only for individual assistance and when it comes to FEMA, there’s not a set threshold for individual assistance,” Lauren Thompson, spokesperson for Michigan State Police Emergency Management, said.

The letter from FEMA said the state has 30 days to appeal.

“In order for us to appeal a denial, we really have to show that there was further damage found or further impact to the community since the initial request,” Thompson explained. “We are working with local officials, who have until mid-next week to get back to us to show if there is in fact is further damage or further impact to the community that then we could go back and include in an appeal. But without that additional information, we can’t appeal the denial and go back with the same information that we went with in that request.”

Local officials are expected to reassess damage in the worst-hit areas starting Thursday.

“A lot of people here could use some help, some money to help with their repairs,” said Don Walter, whose own home was damaged in the storm. “They don’t have that much insurance.”

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