LANSING — Michigan residents whose homes or businesses were damaged by April’s severe storms, tornadoes and flooding can now get face-to-face help applying for federal disaster assistance as Disaster Recovery Centers open across the state.
The centers, operated by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), connect eligible residents with specialists who can help them apply for grants and disaster loans, upload required documents and answer questions about the recovery process.
The recovery centers are opening about a month after President Donald Trump approved Michigan’s request for a major disaster declaration covering widespread damage caused by severe storms, heavy rain, snowmelt and nine confirmed tornadoes between April 10 and April 21.
Is Your County Eligible?
FEMA Individual Assistance is available to residents in these 27 Michigan counties:
Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw and Wexford.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the new recovery centers are intended to bring federal resources directly into communities still recovering from the spring disasters.
“Communities across Michigan are still rebuilding from devastating storms, tornadoes, and flooding this spring,” Whitmer said. “Michigan Disaster Recovery Centers will bring critical recovery resources directly into impacted communities, helping families navigate the recovery process and become more resilient to future disasters.”
Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police and state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said many residents find the disaster assistance process confusing and overwhelming.
“These Disaster Recovery Centers are designed to make that process easier by bringing FEMA specialists and recovery resources directly into impacted communities, ensuring all eligible residents get the support they need,” Grady said.
What Help Is Available?
Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to help residents:
- Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance grants
- Apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans
- Upload required documentation
- Check the status of existing applications
- Learn how to rebuild homes and businesses to better withstand future disasters
- Get answers to questions about federal recovery programs
State officials said additional mobile recovery centers and temporary pop-up locations will be announced throughout the disaster assistance period to reach more communities.
Disaster Recovery Center Locations
Residents can receive in-person assistance at eight Michigan Disaster Recovery Centers:
Community Location Cadillac City of Cadillac Water Operations Facility Grayling Crawford County Emergency Operations Center Evart Evart Area Fire Department Plainwell Gun Plain Township Fire Department Fremont Inspire Church Kalkaska Kaliseum Recreational Center Onaway North Allis Township Hall Perrinton Perrinton Community Center Most centers are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with limited Sunday hours. The Fremont location is closed Sundays.
The SBA also has Business Recovery Centers operating in Cadillac and Indian River to help homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations apply for low-interest disaster loans.
What You’ll Need to Apply
Residents beginning the FEMA application process should bring:
- Government-issued identification
- Social Security number
- Household income information
- Current contact information
- Insurance information
- Bank account information for direct deposit of approved assistance
You Can Also Apply Online or By Phone
Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center is not required to receive assistance.
Eligible residents can apply online through FEMA or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Officials encourage survivors to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing claims and to take advantage of all available federal assistance programs.
For residents who prefer in-person assistance, the new recovery centers offer an opportunity to work directly with FEMA and SBA specialists who can guide them through every step of the application process.
