Federal Help Sought After Michigan’s Storm Chaos

Michigan’s governor has requested federal disaster aid for 43 counties that endured heavy rain, rapid snowmelt, and nine tornadoes from April 10 to 21. If approved, the funds will flow directly to people, businesses, and local groups impacted by the storms.

Timeline of Devastation

• April 13–18: Thunderstorms morphed into severe tornadoes and hail.
• Rivers swelled past major flood stages at seven sites, with four setting new record highs.
• The National Weather Service issued a record number of flash‑flood warnings for the state that month.

Immediate Impact

• Shelters: More than ten shelters opened across the affected region.
• Infrastructure: Roads flooded or washed out; several dams were monitored for potential failure or overtopping.
• Homes & Businesses: 15 homes destroyed, 657 with major damage, 395 with minor damage.

Tornado Outbreak

• A line of strong storms swept central and southern lower Michigan from the evening of April 14 to early on April 15.
• Nine tornadoes and straight‑line wind damage affected many towns.

Aid Eligibility & Needs

Estimated housing aid totals approximately $15.5 million based on verified damage reports.

Hardest Hit Areas

• Cadillac (Wexford County)
• Grayling (Crawford County)
• Kalkaska (Kalkaska County)
• Traverse City (Grand Traverse County)

Additional damage clusters appeared along Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and throughout central and southern parts of the state.