Michigan Receives $50M Federal Disaster Aid for Northern Ice Storm Recovery

President Donald Trump has approved a $50 million federal disaster declaration to assist Michigan communities in recovering from a historic ice storm that struck Northern Michigan in late March. This funding will provide Public Assistance through FEMA to multiple counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians for cleanup and recovery efforts. Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed gratitude for the approval and emphasized ongoing collaboration to secure additional resources, noting that other parts of the state's aid request remain under review. The disaster declaration follows a state of emergency declared in March and a $100 million state appropriation approved by the Michigan House to aid recovery. Local leaders and officials, including Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and U.S. Senator Gary Peters, highlighted the importance of the federal aid to help families, small businesses, and communities affected by the storm. While the details of fund distribution are pending, the announcement marks a critical step toward rebuilding and restoring infrastructure damaged by the worst ice storm in over a century.