EXECUTIVE ORDER No 2026-11 Declaration of State of Emergency
Key claim: Michigan Governor declared a state of emergency for Oakland County after a 42-inch Great Lakes Water Authority transmission main ruptured on May 10, 2026, causing loss of water pressure and a boil-water advisory for multiple communities.
Abstract
EXECUTIVE ORDER No 2026-11 Declaration of State of Emergency News State Orders and Directives May 10, 2026 On May 6, 2026, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) discovered water leaking from a 42-inch transmission main (a primary artery that moves water between regions) that serves the communities of Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, and Oakland Township, all in Oakland County. GLWA began work to fix this leak, however, efforts were unsuccessful. Early in the morning of May 10, 2026, the main ruptured, causing a widespread loss of water pressure and the possibility of loss of service for Lake Orion, Orion Township, and a portion of Auburn Hills. Additionally, Rochester Hills was placed under a boil-water advisory. GLWA is now working to repair the main. Officials in Oakland County have fully used local resources to respond to the situation, such as issuing a local emergency declaration, activating the response and recovery aspects of their emergency operations plan, and providing public information. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to respond to and recover from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm. While the current balance of the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund is inadequate to address this and the other recent disasters that have occurred in this State over the last months, the Legislature can make additional funding available so that communities throughout the state can recover from these emergencies. Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), “[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists.” Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I order the following: A state of emergency is declared for Oakland County. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize state efforts and may call upon all state departments to assist in the designat
Why this matters
Michigan Governor declared a state of emergency for Oakland County after a 42-inch Great Lakes Water Authority transmission main ruptured on May 10, 2026, causing loss of water pressure and a boil-water advisory for multiple communities.