State Rep. John Roth today thanked Governor Whitmer for declaring a state of emergency in response to the damage caused by recent rainstorms in Northern Michigan. 

“When roads are washed away overnight, local governments are faced with damages that exceed their budgets and available resources,” said Roth (R-Interlochen). “Communities shouldn’t have to shoulder these extraordinary costs on their own. I’m grateful the governor moved quickly to ensure these communities have the support they need to recover.” 

The state of emergency declaration covers the counties of Antrim, Emmett, and Cheboygan. 

Recent severe weather brought nearly five inches of rain to parts of the region, generating flash floods, hail, and wind gusts reaching over 60 mph. The storms caused significant damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The Michigan Department of Transportation is evaluating numerous stretches of roadway impacted by flooding, including portions of M-66, M-88, and M-119, as crews work to assess the full extent of the damage. 

Roth continued by highlighting how the road closures will impact residents, local businesses, and the region’s economy. 

“The people of Northern Michigan rely on these roads every day,” Roth said. “The road closures will also affect tourism during one of our busiest seasons, and it creates challenges for agriculture as harvest approaches. Earlier this week, I spent several hours evaluating the roads in our community with local officials, and I saw firsthand the severity of the damage. An emergency declaration will help ensure that local governments can begin rebuilding and restoring safe access for families, businesses, first responders, and visitors.”