Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has submitted an appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to its denial of statewide activation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), an assistance program that develops local preparedness and mitigates the risk and damages from future disasters.
In June, FEMA declared Major Disaster status for counties across the state in response to severe April storms, flooding, and tornadoes that devastated multiple communities in Michigan. While FEMA activated Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs for 37 Michigan counties, the request to activate the HMGP statewide was denied.
“Hazard mitigation helps Michigan communities be resilient and ready for any future disasters,” said Governor Whitmer. “Many of our neighbors are still rebuilding from the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that hit Michigan in the spring. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is an important asset to keep these communities prepared for the future. In response to other disasters, we’ve seen HMGP-funded mitigation projects reduce damages and costs. I am urging FEMA to reconsider their decision and activate the HMGP for all 83 counties in Michigan. Let’s keep working together to keep Michiganders safe and prepared for the future.”
The letter calls on FEMA to reconsider their decision to deny statewide activation of the HMPG.
On June 26, FEMA declared Major Disaster FEMA-4925-DR for the State of Michigan in response to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted the state between April 10 and April 21, 2026.
The declaration activated the Individual Assistance (IA) program and/or the Public Assistance (PA) program for a total of 37 counties within the state. At the time, the state’s request for activation of the HMGP for all 83 counties was still under review, and on July 8, 2026, the request was denied.
The HMGP allocates funding for projects that make communities more resilient in the face of natural disasters, including vital updates to infrastructure.
From the letter:
“The positive benefit-cost ratio of hazard mitigation, the high reliance of HMGP projects on local identification and analysis of hazards, and the disbursement of funds based on priorities and strategies established at the community level make HMGP assistance a cost-effective and common-sense approach to increase the resilience of local communities and therefore the nation.”
Successful examples of HMGP-funded mitigation projects in Michigan include improvements to the Wayne County Hospital storm sewer, culvert upgrades in Washtenaw County, and the installation of a large water detention basin in Bay County.
In June, FEMA declared Major Disaster status for counties across the state in response to severe April storms, flooding, and tornadoes that devastated multiple communities in Michigan. While FEMA activated Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs for 37 Michigan counties, the request to activate the HMGP statewide was denied.
“Hazard mitigation helps Michigan communities be resilient and ready for any future disasters,” said Governor Whitmer. “Many of our neighbors are still rebuilding from the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that hit Michigan in the spring. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is an important asset to keep these communities prepared for the future. In response to other disasters, we’ve seen HMGP-funded mitigation projects reduce damages and costs. I am urging FEMA to reconsider their decision and activate the HMGP for all 83 counties in Michigan. Let’s keep working together to keep Michiganders safe and prepared for the future.”
The letter calls on FEMA to reconsider their decision to deny statewide activation of the HMPG.
On June 26, FEMA declared Major Disaster FEMA-4925-DR for the State of Michigan in response to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted the state between April 10 and April 21, 2026.
The declaration activated the Individual Assistance (IA) program and/or the Public Assistance (PA) program for a total of 37 counties within the state. At the time, the state’s request for activation of the HMGP for all 83 counties was still under review, and on July 8, 2026, the request was denied.
The HMGP allocates funding for projects that make communities more resilient in the face of natural disasters, including vital updates to infrastructure.
From the letter:
“The positive benefit-cost ratio of hazard mitigation, the high reliance of HMGP projects on local identification and analysis of hazards, and the disbursement of funds based on priorities and strategies established at the community level make HMGP assistance a cost-effective and common-sense approach to increase the resilience of local communities and therefore the nation.”
Successful examples of HMGP-funded mitigation projects in Michigan include improvements to the Wayne County Hospital storm sewer, culvert upgrades in Washtenaw County, and the installation of a large water detention basin in Bay County.
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