KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied the request for a major disaster declaration after the Kalamazoo community was hit by multiple tornadoes and storms on May 7.
Senator Sean McCann of Kalamazoo issued a statement after FEMA denied the request:
“I am dismayed to learn of FEMA's denial of a federal disaster declaration for the May 7th tornadoes, and I have already asked Governor Whitmer to appeal this decision. It is a disappointing determination that impacts real people."
“However, even without FEMA assistance, help is on the way from the State of Michigan. In the upcoming state budget, I was proud to have helped secure more than $3 million in funding to provide relief to the affected communities and the impacted people in my district. The budget, recently passed by the Legislature, will also put the maximum amount into the State Disaster Emergency Contingency Fund so that there will be money already available for future disasters.”
The storms back in May left thousands without power, FEMA came out to assess the storm damage about a week after the storms. Nearly 600 structures were damaged due to the storms, Portage being one of the hardest hit areas.
Three tornadoes were confirmed in Michigan on May 7. Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency to offer state resources to the community.
