Governor Declares Disaster in Leelanau County

After declaring a state of disaster in Grand Traverse County Monday following a devastating August 2 storm, Governor Rick Snyder added Leelanau County to the disaster declaration Friday.

"Last week’s severe storms took a toll on homes, businesses, public roads and public buildings throughout Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties," Snyder said in a written statement. "As more information has come in about lingering impact, we are striving to help Leelanau County to ensure residents and businesses there have the resources they need to recover as quickly as possible."

Leelanau County commissioners voted to request the declaration in a special meeting Friday morning after determining local resources were insufficient to address the widespread damage. The declaration for Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties makes state resources available to support local recovery efforts, and authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to assist in coordinating such efforts.