History of Michigan's Disaster Response through EMAC

How Michigan has assisted other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact

What is EMAC?

The   Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)   is a national interstate mutual aid agreement that enables states to share resources during times of disaster. Since becoming law in 1996, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands have enacted legislation to become EMAC members. EMAC acts as a complement to the federal disaster response system, providing a seamless flow of needed resources to the affected states or territories.

When a state declares an emergency, they may request resources through EMAC. States can offer the needed resource(s) through the EMAC Operations System, and the affected state can choose the offers they want to select. This whole process usually takes a few days or less, allowing resources to get to the affected areas as quickly as possible. In Michigan, state, local, and National Guard resources can be offered through EMAC.

More information regrading EMAC can be found here:  https://www.emacweb.org/  

Since 2017, Michigan has deployed over 500 responders on 32 missions for 21 events in 15 states and territories.

EMAC Deployments by State

EMAC Deployments : A tour

The following is a timeline of the EMAC events that Michigan personnel have supported, starting with Hurricane Harvey of 2017. Each event, such as a hurricane, can have multiple missions, depending on the needs. For example, a hurricane is one event, but if the national guard AND a search and rescue team are deployed to assist, that would count as two separate missions. Continue scrolling for details and pictures of Michigan's deployments.

1

2017- Hurricane Harvey (TX)

Hurricane Harvey started as a tropical wave off the African coast on August 13 and tracked westward across the Atlantic and on August 17 became a tropical storm which moved into the Caribbean Sea where Harvey become disorganized. Harvey was then downgraded to a tropical wave which entered the Gulf of Mexico on the 22nd.  On the morning of the August 23, Harvey was upgraded again to tropical depression as the Bay of Campeche and the Western Gulf of Mexico had very warm waters. Over the next 48 hours Harvey would undergo a period of rapid intensification from a tropical depression to a category 4 hurricane. Harvey made landfall along the Texas coast near Port Aransas around 10 p.m. on August 25 as a Category 4 and brought devastating impacts. As Harvey moved inland, its forward motion slowed to near 5 mph after landfall and then meandered just north of Victoria, TX by August 26. The morning of August 27 saw additional rain bands continued to develop and produced additional excessive rainfall amounts. As the center of Harvey slowly moved east-southeast and back offshore heavy rainfall continued to spread through much of August 29-30 exacerbating the ongoing widespread and devastating flooding.  All this rainfall caused catastrophic drainage issues and made rivers rise greatly. Only around 10 percent of the river forecast points in southeast Texas remained below flood stage due to the event, and approximately 46 percent of the river forecast points reached new record levels. Harvey maintained tropical storm intensity the entire time while inland over the Texas coastal bend and southeast Texas. After moving offshore, Harvey made a third landfall just west of Cameron, Louisiana on the morning of August 30 and brought more heavy rainfall to the Northern Gulf States.

Michigan's Support: Provided National Guard air search and rescue assets to include 2 CH-47s and 1 UH-72.

https://www.weather.gov/hgx/hurricaneharvey

2

2017- Hurricane Irma (FL)

Hurricane Irma formed from an African Easterly Wave, more commonly known as tropical waves. It became a tropical storm on August 30 about 420 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands in the far eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, and quickly attained hurricane status on August 31 while still in the far eastern Atlantic about 650 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Irma continued to gradually strengthen over the next several days as it tracked generally westward across the tropical Atlantic. By the time Hurricane Irma struck Barbuda in the northern Leeward Islands around 2 am on September 6, it was a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds.  Five hours later, the eye of Irma moved over St. Martin, still with 185 mph winds, while the northern eyewall pounded Anguilla.  That afternoon, Irma cut a path directly through the British Virgin Islands.  After the southern eyewall raked St. Thomas, Puerto Rico was largely spared as the center passed about 45 miles north of San Juan.  Hurricane conditions did occur on Puerto Rico’s northeastern coast.  Still a Category 5, Irma impacted portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas.  From Friday evening September 8 through Saturday afternoon September 9, Irma moved along the northern coast of Cuba.  Interaction with land caused Irma to weaken from a Category 5 to a Category 3 before it began to pull away from the northern coast of Cuba late Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning, September 10, Irma strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane as it accelerated toward the Florida Keys.  The eye made landfall in Cudjoe Key as a 130 mph Category 4 at 9:10 am.  The center of Irma then made landfall in Marco Island at 3:35 pm that afternoon as a Category 3 with 115 mph winds.  The center moved into central Florida overnight and into northern Florida later on Monday as it weakened.

Michigan's Support: Provided National Guard Civil Support and a Type III Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team with swiftwater capabilities, Michigan Taskforce 1.

https://www.weather.gov/mfl/hurricaneirma

3

2017- Hurricane Maria (PR)

Maria formed from an African easterly wave that moved across the tropical Atlantic Ocean during the week of September 10-17, 2017.  It was not until 200 PM AST (1800 UTC) on September 16, that its convective organization improved that the NHC classified the system as a tropical depression about 700 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles. At the 500 PM AST (2100 UTC) advisory, just three hours later, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Maria with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Thereafter, Maria gradually intensified and became the 8th hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season with 75 mph maximum sustained winds at 500 PM AST (2100 UTC) on September 17. Within the next 24 to 30 hours and within an 18 hour period, Maria underwent through rapid intensification, strengthening from a category 1 to an extremely dangerous category 5 hurricane. Maria’s first landfall was in Dominica, part of the Windward Islands, as a category 5 hurricane at around 915 PM AST on September 18. Maria maintained Category 5 strength as it continued its path towards the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Rain bands first approached Saint Croix, as well as portions of Saint Thomas and Saint John during the morning hours on September 19. Throughout the afternoon and early evening hours, rain bands generating tropical storm conditions reached Vieques, Culebra, and Puerto Rico. Based on observations from the Hurricane Hunters, the intensity of Maria was lowered from Category 5 hurricane with 175 MPH just southeast of St. Croix to Category 4 hurricane with 155 MPH south of Vieques. Around 5 AM AST (0900 UTC), hurricane force winds were reported in Vieques and the eastern half of mainland Puerto Rico. At approximately 615 AM AST (1015 UTC), Maria made landfall in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico as a strong category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. As the center of the storm moved west-northwestward over southeastern PR into the interior and northwestern PR, widespread hurricane force winds spread all over mainland PR along with extremely heavy rainfall that produced major to catastrophic flooding and flash flooding, especially across the northern half of Puerto Rico. Maria’s center moved over the coastal waters off northwestern Puerto Rico early that afternoon. Even though hurricane force winds started to diminish once the system moved offshore, tropical storm force winds continued well into the evening and overnight hours across mainland Puerto Rico.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Type IV A-Team support both virtually and in-person.

https://www.weather.gov/sju/maria2017

4

2018- Hurricane Florence (NC)

Hurricane Florence, a large and slow-moving category one hurricane, made landfall during the morning of September 14, 2018.  After the eye crossed Wrightsville Beach, NC at 7:15 a.m., the storm spent the next two days producing record-breaking rainfall across eastern North Carolina and a portion of northeastern South Carolina.  Over 30 inches of rain were measured in a few North Carolina locations, exceeding the highest single-storm rainfall amounts ever seen in this portion of the state.  A station in Loris, SC recorded 23.63 inches rain, setting a new state tropical cyclone rainfall record for the state of South Carolina. Record river flooding developed over the next several days along the Cape Fear, Northeast Cape Fear, Lumberton, and Waccamaw Rivers, destroying roads and damaging thousands of homes and businesses.  A USGS report indicated nine river gauges reported floods exceeding their 1-in-500 year expected return intervals.  Although Florence will be remembered primarily for its record-breaking flooding, wind gusts over 100 mph caused significant damage to buildings, trees, and electrical service across the Cape Fear area, and a storm surge of over four feet eroded beaches and damaged property between Cape Fear and Cape Lookout. The state of North Carolina reported 42 fatalities due to the hurricane and preliminary damage estimates of $16.7 billion.  An estimated 74,563 structures were flooded and 5,214 people were reportedly rescued from flooding.  Nearly 140,000 North Carolinians registered for disaster assistance after the storm.  South Carolina Emergency Management reported 9 fatalities across the state; $607 million damage; 11,386 homes with moderate or major damage; 455,000 people evacuated, and 11 dams breached or failed. Michigan's Support: Provided National Guard air search and rescue assets to include 1 HH-60 Medevac and Type I Swiftwater Rescue Team, Michigan Taskforce 1.

https://www.weather.gov/ilm/HurricaneFlorence

5

2018- Hurricane Michael (FL)

Hurricane Michael made landfall as an unprecedented Category 5 Hurricane in the Florida Panhandle region with maximum sustained wind speeds of 161 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on minimum pressure, Michael is the fourth most-powerful hurricane to hit the United States. The storm caused catastrophic damage from wind and storm surge, particularly in the Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach to Cape San Blas areas. Hurricane Michael brought catastrophic storm surge to the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas. One of the hardest hit locations was from Mexico Beach to Indian Pass where 9 to 14 feet of peak storm surge inundation was observed. In addition, wave action caused even higher total water values and this resulted in waves destroying the second story of multiple buildings in Mexico Beach. In addition to the life-threatening storm surge, structural damage was extensive, particularly across the Florida Panhandle. Preliminary data assessments indicate almost 50,000 structures were affected across the Florida Panhandle, western Big Bend, southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama. Of these, more than 3,000 structures were destroyed. Homes and businesses were not the only structures impacted. The widespread damage spread well inland as Hurricane Michael remained at hurricane strength into southwest Georgia.

Michigan's Support: Provided an Individual Assistance Specialist and a local Volunteer and Donations Management Coordinator. https://www.weather.gov/tae/HurricaneMichael2018

6

2018- Hurricane Michael (GA)

Hurricane Michael made landfall as an unprecedented Category 5 Hurricane in the Florida Panhandle region with maximum sustained wind speeds of 161 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on minimum pressure, Michael is the fourth most-powerful hurricane to hit the United States. The storm caused catastrophic damage from wind and storm surge, particularly in the Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach to Cape San Blas areas. Hurricane Michael brought catastrophic storm surge to the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas. One of the hardest hit locations was from Mexico Beach to Indian Pass where 9 to 14 feet of peak storm surge inundation was observed. In addition, wave action caused even higher total water values and this resulted in waves destroying the second story of multiple buildings in Mexico Beach. In addition to the life-threatening storm surge, structural damage was extensive, particularly across the Florida Panhandle. Preliminary data assessments indicate almost 50,000 structures were affected across the Florida Panhandle, western Big Bend, southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama. Of these, more than 3,000 structures were destroyed. Homes and businesses were not the only structures impacted. The widespread damage spread well inland as Hurricane Michael remained at hurricane strength into southwest Georgia.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Type IV EMAC A-Team in person. https://www.weather.gov/tae/HurricaneMichael2018

7

2018- Kilaueau East Rift Zone (HI)

The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano had devastating effects on the lower Puna district, destroying hundreds of homes, burying subdivisions, and permanently affecting the lives of thousands of residents.  Recent measurements by U.S. Geological Survey researcher Hannah Dietterich and collaborators using digital elevation models and unoccupied aircraft systems have produced an estimate of the volume of the 2018 lava flow.  The high-end estimate is 1.4 cubic kilometers (or about 0.34 cubic miles).  The estimate has a range because it is difficult to measure the volume of the lava that poured into the ocean. To get a sense of how voluminous the 2018 lava is, imagine a giant cube of lava sitting on the ground that is 0.7 miles tall—or about three times as tall as the Empire State Building.  For Island of Hawaiʻi residents, this is about 27 times as tall as Bayshore Towers in Hilo. It turns out, there are only a handful of lava flow eruptions worldwide in the past few hundred years that have produced more than a cubic kilometer (0.24 cubic miles) of lava.

Michigan's Support: Provided EMAC A-Team member in person. https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-2018-eruption-kilauea-was-big-global-scale

8

2018- Merrimack Valley Gas Explosion (MA)

On September 13, 2018, excessive pressure in natural gas lines owned by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts caused a series of explosions and fires to occur in as many as 40 homes, with over 80 individual fires, in the towns of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, all within the Merrimack Valley, in Massachusetts, United States. One person was killed and 30,000 were forced to evacuate their homes immediately.

Michigan's Support: Provided gas pipeline inspector.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack_Valley_gas_explosions

9

2019- Hurricane Dorian (FL)

Hurricane Dorian was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. Dorian formed on August 24, 2019, from a tropical wave in the Central Atlantic and gradually strengthened as it moved toward the Lesser Antilles, becoming a hurricane on August 28. Rapid intensification occurred, and on August 31, Dorian became a Category 4 hurricane. On September 1, Dorian reached Category 5 intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, and a minimum central pressure of 910 mb  (26.87 inHg) while making landfall in Elbow Cay, Bahamas. Dorian made another landfall on Grand Bahama several hours later. The ridge of high-pressure steering Dorian westward collapsed on September 2, causing Dorian to stall just north of Grand Bahama for about a day. It is the strongest known tropical system to impact the Bahamas. A combination of cold water upwelling and an eyewall replacement cycle weakened Dorian to a Category 2 hurricane on the next day. On the morning of September 3, Dorian began to move slowly towards the north-northwest. Dorian subsequently completed its eyewall replacement cycle and moved over warmer waters, regaining Category 3 intensity by midnight on September 5. In the early hours of September 6, Dorian weakened to Category 1 intensity as it picked up speed and turned northeast. Dorian would pick up speed and move northeast along the North Carolina coast September 6, moving just south of the Crystal Coast, clipping Cape Lookout and eventually making landfall at Cape Hatteras. The initial impacts from Dorian occurred during the morning hours of September 5 when several tornadoes touched down in eastern North Carolina. The most damaging tornado occurred in Emerald Isle in Carteret County. The tornado touched down shortly after 9 AM and damaged numerous businesses and homes, including the Salty Pirate Water Park. This tornado was rated an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale with estimated winds of 115 mph. As a center of Dorian moved just south of the Crystal Coast, with the eye clipping Cape Lookout, peak wind gusts of 110 mph were recorded at the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, 89 mph at Fort Macon, 85 mph at Beaufort and 82 mph at Cape Lookout. Rainfall totals of 5 up to 10 inches were common near the North Carolina coast. Storm surge flooding occurred in Cedar Island. The most severe storm surge flooding occurred on Ocracoke Island where several people were trapped in their attics by flooding from the 4-to-7-foot storm surge, requiring rescue by boats. People were airlifted off the island to shelters on the mainland while food and water were brought into residents on the island. North Carolina Highway 12 along Ocracoke Island suffered damage from flooding. More than 190,000 North Carolina homes lost power during the storm.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Type III USAR Team, Michigan Taskforce 1. https://www.weather.gov/mhx/Dorian2019

10

2019- Hurricane Dorian (NC)

Hurricane Dorian was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. Dorian formed on August 24, 2019, from a tropical wave in the Central Atlantic and gradually strengthened as it moved toward the Lesser Antilles, becoming a hurricane on August 28. Rapid intensification occurred, and on August 31, Dorian became a Category 4 hurricane. On September 1, Dorian reached Category 5 intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, and a minimum central pressure of 910 mb  (26.87 inHg) while making landfall in Elbow Cay, Bahamas. Dorian made another landfall on Grand Bahama several hours later. The ridge of high-pressure steering Dorian westward collapsed on September 2, causing Dorian to stall just north of Grand Bahama for about a day. It is the strongest known tropical system to impact the Bahamas. A combination of cold water upwelling and an eyewall replacement cycle weakened Dorian to a Category 2 hurricane on the next day. On the morning of September 3, Dorian began to move slowly towards the north-northwest. Dorian subsequently completed its eyewall replacement cycle and moved over warmer waters, regaining Category 3 intensity by midnight on September 5. In the early hours of September 6, Dorian weakened to Category 1 intensity as it picked up speed and turned northeast. Dorian would pick up speed and move northeast along the North Carolina coast September 6, moving just south of the Crystal Coast, clipping Cape Lookout and eventually making landfall at Cape Hatteras. The initial impacts from Dorian occurred during the morning hours of September 5 when several tornadoes touched down in eastern North Carolina. The most damaging tornado occurred in Emerald Isle in Carteret County. The tornado touched down shortly after 9 AM and damaged numerous businesses and homes, including the Salty Pirate Water Park. This tornado was rated an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale with estimated winds of 115 mph. As a center of Dorian moved just south of the Crystal Coast, with the eye clipping Cape Lookout, peak wind gusts of 110 mph were recorded at the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, 89 mph at Fort Macon, 85 mph at Beaufort and 82 mph at Cape Lookout. Rainfall totals of 5 up to 10 inches were common near the North Carolina coast. Storm surge flooding occurred in Cedar Island. The most severe storm surge flooding occurred on Ocracoke Island where several people were trapped in their attics by flooding from the 4-to-7-foot storm surge, requiring rescue by boats. People were airlifted off the island to shelters on the mainland while food and water were brought into residents on the island. North Carolina Highway 12 along Ocracoke Island suffered damage from flooding. More than 190,000 North Carolina homes lost power during the storm.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Type III USAR Team, Michigan Taskforce 1.

https://www.weather.gov/mhx/Dorian2019

11

2020- Lightning Fires (CA)

Several major wildfires raged in California in 2020, many of which are now amongst the largest wildfires in California history. The 2020 California lightning complex fires were particularly destructive, resulting in the loss of countless structures, several lives, and hundreds of thousands of acres of land. The CZU Lightning Complex, LNU Lightning Complex, and SCU Lightning Complex fires impacted residents across the Bay Area as the result of dry lightning and major thunderstorms.  The CZU, LNU, and SCU Lightning Complex fires collectively burned nearly one million acres, nearly 3,000 structures, and took several lives. The fires were three of the most disastrous fires in 2020.

Michigan's Support: Provided National Guard MQ-9 IA Crew Support.

https://www.frontlinewildfire.com/wildfire-news-and-resources/2020-california-lightning-complex-fires/

12

2020- Civil Unrest (WI)

In the aftermath of the August 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake, protests, riots, and civil unrest occurred in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and around the United States as part of the larger 2020–2021 United States racial unrest and Black Lives Matter movements.[7] In addition to street protests, marches, and demonstrations, the shooting also led to the 2020 American athlete boycotts. The demonstrations were marked by daily peaceful protesting followed by confrontations with law enforcement and rioting and arson at night. A state of emergency was declared on August 23, and the National Guard was activated the following day. Further confrontations arose when armed militia members, whom Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth described as "like a group of vigilantes", arrived with the expressed intent of protecting businesses in the city.

Michigan's Support: Provided National Guard site security and law enforcement support to include 2 MP Companies, a C2 element, and a maintenance element. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenosha_unrest

13

2020- Wildland Fires (OR)

Beginning September 7, multiple fires ignited under critically hot and dry conditions and spread dramatically during multiple days of high winds (average sustained winds of 20-30 mph with 50-60 mph gusts). The result was multiple large fires burning across the state and over 1 million acres burned, which is twice the 10-year average. And while 500,000 Oregonians were under an evacuation notice (Level 1, 2 or 3), more than 40,000 had to evacuate their homes. Two pre-existing fires in Oregon were exponentially aggravated by the high-wind event: Lionshead—which the wind pushed over the crest of the Cascades from Warm Springs—and Beachie Creek. Of the dozens of fires that started throughout the wind event, three grew into megafires (+100,000 acres), pushed by tropical-storm force winds: Archie Creek, Holiday Farm, and Riverside. The Beachie Creek and Holiday Farm fires burned along the Santiam and McKenzie rivers respectively.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Public Information Officer and a Geographic Information System Specialist. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e1e42989d1b4beb809223d5430a3750

14

2021- Hurricane Ida (LA)

On August 23, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring a tropical wave across the Eastern Caribbean Sea for future development across the Western Caribbean. The depression continued to strengthen and was named Tropical Storm Ida by 7 PM CDT on August 26. Tropical Storm Ida continued to strengthen and was upgraded to a hurricane just before crossing the Isle of Youth, Cuba by 1 PM CDT August 27. Once over the Gulf of Mexico, Ida slowly strengthened through 10 AM CDT on August 28. The first of two rapid intensification periods began later that afternoon when Ida intensified to a category 2 hurricane by 1 PM CDT with winds leveling off to 105 mph (90 knots). Ida’s intensity leveled off through the evening hours. Ida began the second and more explosive intensification period when reconnaissance aircraft found Ida reaching category 3 hurricane status with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (100 knots) by 1 AM CDT August 29, and category 4 status by 2 AM CDT with winds of 130 mph (115 knots). Ida continued to strengthen with maximum sustained winds reaching 140 mph (120 knots) by 4 AM CDT, and 150 mph (130 knots) by 6 AM CDT. With little change in strength, Ida made landfall along the Southeastern Louisiana coast near Port Fourchon around 11:55 AM CDT August 29, 2021 with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a minimum central pressure of 931 millibars (27.49 inches). Ida made a second landfall just southwest of Galliano around 2:00 PM CDT with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (125 knots) and a minimum central pressure of 934 millibars (27.58 inches). The 150-mph landfall of Hurricane Ida matches the intensity of Hurricane Laura across Southwest Louisiana on August 27, 2020, and the re-analyzed Last Island hurricane of August 10, 1856. The damage from wind and storm surge was catastrophic over Southeast Louisiana, especially over Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. Major wind impacts occurred over the remainder of Southeast Louisiana into Southern Mississippi.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Type III USAR Team, Michigan Taskforce 1.

https://www.weather.gov/lch/2021Ida

15

2021- Tornado (KY)

On the evening of Friday, December 10, 2021, a potent storm system moving across the central United States resulted in widespread severe weather across the region, including a significant long track tornadoes. NWS storm damage surveys found a violent EF-4 tornado began in far northwest Tennessee and moved across western Kentucky, resulting in significant destruction to portions of the region. The tornado began in Obion County, in northwest Tennessee, and tracked across 11 counties in western Kentucky: Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Breckenridge, and Grayson. Its 165.7 mile long path length was on the longest for a tornado in U.S. history.  Another long-track EF-3 tornado with estimated peak winds of 160 mph started in Dyer County, TN, and traveled 122.7 miles through northwest Tennessee and into Christian and Todd Counties in western Kentucky.

Michigan's Support: Provided a Planning Section Chief. https://www.weather.gov/pah/December-10th-11th-2021-Tornado

16

2022- Flooding (MT)

In June 2022, the U.S. state of Montana was hit by heavy, damaging floods in multiple major watersheds including the Yellowstone River. Heavy rain and melting snow over the weekend June 10-13 caused large areas of Yellowstone National Park to be evacuated. On June 14, the water plant in Billings was temporarily shut down. Many houses were damaged as a result, and a number of roads and bridges were destroyed by floodwaters. The National Weather Service said that heavy rain on top of melting mountain snow pushed the Yellowstone, Stillwater and Clarks Fork rivers to record levels and triggered rock and mudslides. The Montana National Guard said that 87 people had been airlifted by helicopter to safety. On Monday, June 13, Governor Greg Gianforte verbally authorized Lt Governor Kristen Juras to declare a state of emergency. Governor Gianforte was vacationing in Italy, and returned Thursday, June 16. On June 16, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Montana.

Michigan's Support: Provided Public Assistance Officer and Deputy in person, and an Individial Assistance Officer in person and virutally. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Montana_floods

17

2022- Jackson Water Issue (MS)

The City of Jackson, Mississippi, Surface Water System was impacted by flooding.  Two water treatment plants experience reduced water output creating pressure problems in the system.  The City lacked sufficient pressures in some areas of the city to sustain adequate access to flush toilets and maintain optimal disinfection for drinking water.  Mississippi declared a Public Drinking Water Supply Emergency in the City of Jackson. The Governor of Mississippi declared an emergency for the city due to the effect on essential government services, medical facilities, and schools. 

Michigan's Support: Provided an electrician.

https://www.msema.org/jackson-water-crisis-2022/#:~:text=The%20state%20of%20Mississippi%20is,boil%20water%20notice%20is%20lifted.

18

2023- CA Early Winter Storms

On December 26, 2022, Northern California began experiencing severe storms. Storms continued and expanded statewide. According the National Weather Service, the State was expected to see rain and snow through January 19. On January 4, 2023, the Governor of California proclaimed a state of emergency due to recurring severe winter storms, producing record-setting precipitation rates, widespread area flooding, and numerous mudslides statewide. Wind associated with the storms caused downed trees and power lines leading to extensive power outages across multiple service territories, road closures, and evacuations. California Situation Report

Michigan's Support: Hazard Mitigation Specialist

19

2023- Flooding and Severe Weather (VT)

On Friday, July 7, 2023, several locations throughout Vermont received significant amounts of rain and there were several municipalities that received damage. Due to the existing ground saturation from the July 7 storm, additional storms that came through on July 9 created flash flooding conditions in many areas of the state. The Governor of Vermont declared a State of Emergency on July 9, 2023. From July 7-10, 1-2" of rain fell across northern Vermont, 2-3" across central Vermont and widespread 3-6" with localized amounts up to 8" across southern Vermont. Vermont Situation Report

Michigan's Support: Type III Swiftwater Rescue Team

20

2023 Hawaii Wildfires

In early August 2023, a series of wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, and caused widespread damage, killing at least 100 people and leaving four persons missing in the town of Lahaina on Maui's northwest coast. An emergency declaration was signed on August 8, authorizing several actions, including activation of the Hawaii National Guard, appropriate actions by the director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Administrator of Emergency Management, and the expenditure of state general revenue funds for relief of conditions created by the fires.  By August 9, the state government of Hawaii issued a state of emergency for the entirety of the state.  On August 10, U.S. President Biden issued a federal major disaster declaration. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Hawaii_wildfires

Michigan's Support: Accounting/Booking SME, Logistics Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Public Assistance SME

21

2024- Spring Storms and Floods (TX)

In May 2024, eastern Texas faced severe spring storms that resulted in extensive flooding across the region, especially impacting Harris, Montgomery, Polk, Liberty, and Trinity counties. The heavy rainfall caused rivers and lakes, including the San Jacinto River and Lake Conroe, to overflow, leading to mandatory evacuations and numerous water rescues. Over 200 rescues were reported in Montgomery County alone, with significant flooding in Conroe and surrounding areas. Governor Greg Abbott declared emergencies in 91 counties, and federal and state agencies began damage assessments to qualify for federal aid. The storms caused considerable damage to homes and infrastructure. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/texas-floods-weather-harris-county/ https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/06/texas-flood-cleanup-disaster-damage/ https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/more-heavy-rain-east-texas-sunday-san-jacinto-river-flooding

Michigan's Support: Type I Swiftwater SAR Team, Michigan Taskforce 1.

22

2024- Republican National Convention (WI)

The 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee utilized law enforcement support from 63 departments in 24 states and Washington, D.C. through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Officers assisted with crowd management, traffic control, and general security. The convention was held from July 15 to 18, 2024. https://www.wisn.com/article/police-from-across-country-coming-to-milwaukee-help-during-rnc/61441763

Michigan's Support: Provided a Michigan State Police platoon consisting of law enforcement officers and support staff

EMAC by the Numbers

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Conclusion

As you can see, Michigan has been a strong presence in assisting other states and territories during disasters since 2017.  Michigan remains always ready to answer the call whenever our resources are able.  We continue to enhance our EMAC program, updating procedures and processes, and strengthening our EMAC training and exercise activities.  Michigan takes pride in our ability to quickly answer the call of other states and territories in their time of need and will continue to support in growing ways over the coming years.