Additional federal aid for March northern Michigan ice storm officially denied

WCMU | By Brianna Edgar

Published October 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM EDT

The North Central State Trail, which runs from Gaylord to Mackinaw City, is covered in tree debris on March 31, 2025. This trail is managed by the Top of Michigan Trails Council, but on April 4, 2025, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources "indefinitely" closed state-managed trails across 12 counties in the northern lower peninsula and eastern U.P. Debris around trails poses a public safety threat, according to Ron Olson, the DNR parks and recreation chief. "There's also the danger of what we call hangers, meaning branches that may have broken off and are hanging up against another tree that could fall down," he said. — The North Central State Trail, which runs from Gaylord to Mackinaw City, is covered in tree debris on March 31, 2025.

FEMA has denied the appeal for additional aid related to an ice storm that caused massive damage to multiple counties in northern Michigan back in late March.

In July, President Trump issued a declaration of federal disaster for the region- with $50 million in funds to go to local governments and nonprofits.

However, aid for utilities, individuals with housing damages and disaster related losses, and long-term infrastructure repairs was denied. Governor Whitmer, appealed in August. She raised concern that utilities would have to drasticly raise rates on customers to cover losses from the storms

A letter to the Governor from FEMA stated the "impact to individuals and households from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of the Individual Assistance program".

Funding for long-term disaster mitigation is still under review.

The letter received by Governor Whitmer on October 22nd, 2025 to inform her of FEMA's decision to deny ice storm aid.

Captain Kevin Sweeney with the Michigan State Police's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. in a statement, he said the denial was "disappointing," but added "Together with our local and state partners, we will continue to provide the support and coordination needed to help communities recover."

The storm caused widespread damage to 12 counties in the region, with some residents going nearly a month without electricity.

One electric co-op, Presque Isle Electric & Gas, has recently begun charging customers an extra $20 a month. This is due to the company having to rebuild their entire grid after the storm, costing them around $150 million.

7 months later cleanup efforts remain ongoing. The state House approves $100 million in state funding for ice storm repairs, that bill is currently in the state Senate. $14 million is disaster relief was included in the recently passed state budget.