Michigan Governor Declares State of Emergency for Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and 5 Counties

Whitmer expands emergency declaration after severe storms cause widespread damage

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:53am

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A dramatic landscape painting depicting a stormy, cloudy sky with rays of light breaking through, dwarfing a small town or rural scene below, conveying the overwhelming power of nature during an extreme weather event.The sweeping, atmospheric grandeur of nature's fury serves as a humbling reminder of the fragility of human settlements in the face of severe storms.Kalamazoo Today

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has expanded the state of emergency declaration to include the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, as well as five additional counties, following this week's severe storms. The declaration will allow these areas to receive financial assistance for recovery efforts as they work to clean up significant damage to homes, roads, and businesses.

Why it matters

The state of emergency declaration provides critical resources and support to communities impacted by the recent storms, which included multiple confirmed tornadoes that caused extensive damage in the Ann Arbor area. This will help speed up recovery efforts and ensure residents and businesses receive the assistance they need.

The details

Whitmer's expanded state of emergency now covers the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta and Muskegon, in addition to the 33 counties previously declared. This will allow these areas to access financial aid through Michigan's Emergency Management Act. In Ann Arbor, an EF-1 tornado touched down overnight on Wednesday, damaging neighborhoods, the Veterans Memorial Park, and the University of Michigan's Yost Ice Arena. Crews are now assessing the storm damage to determine what state and federal support may be needed.

  • On Friday, April 18, 2026, Governor Whitmer expanded the state of emergency declaration.
  • Earlier this week, Whitmer had declared a state of emergency for 33 counties, including Cheboygan County, where officials were monitoring rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex.
  • On Wednesday, April 16, 2026, the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down overnight in Ann Arbor.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The Governor of Michigan who declared the state of emergency in response to the severe storms and tornado damage.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that confirmed the EF-1 tornado that touched down in Ann Arbor.

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What they’re saying

“This declaration will help these areas with recovery efforts as they work to clean up after severe weather damaged homes, roads, and businesses.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

“My administration will continue to work with local emergency managers over the weekend and monitor water levels across the state. The forecast for next week is looking better, which should provide some breathing room for first responders, but we aren't out of the woods yet. Let's continue to stay vigilant, and we will get through this together.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

What’s next

The state and local authorities will continue to assess the damage from the storms and tornadoes over the coming days, and determine what additional state and federal resources may be needed to support recovery efforts in the affected communities.

The takeaway

The expanded state of emergency declaration underscores the severity of the recent storms and tornadoes that have impacted Michigan, and the critical need for coordinated state and local efforts to provide relief and support recovery in the hardest hit areas. This highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that communities must be prepared to respond to.