Executive Order 2026-14: Declaration of State of Emergency
Key claim: The governor declared a state of emergency in Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties so state agencies can coordinate repairs and aid after heavy rains washed out roads, culverts, and drainage systems that local resources cannot fix alone.
Abstract
Executive Order 2026-14: Declaration of State of Emergency News State Orders and Directives July 09, 2026 Beginning on June 29, 2026, a significant rain event occurred in Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties. This region experienced four to seven inches of rain in a span of approximately two hours. The result in Antrim and Emmet counties was ditch washouts, slope failures, culvert failures, roadway undermining, washouts of trunkline roadway sections, and closures of multiple roadways. The result in Cheboygan County was severe erosion and drainage system failures along a major roadway. One culvert completely failed and the road was closed. As a result of this damage, significant repairs throughout the three counties are required to protect the public. Local officials in Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties have taken several actions to respond to the situation, such as issuing local emergency declarations, providing public information, and otherwise responding to assess the damage caused by this rainfall event. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient. State assistance and other outside resources, including potential federal assistance, 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. 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: 1. A state of emergency is declared for the counties of Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet. 2. 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 designated areas consistent with the Michigan Emergency Management Plan. 3. The state of emergency is terminated when the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from
Why this matters
Governor declared a state of emergency for Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties in Michigan following a severe rain event on June 29, 2026 that caused widespread road washouts, culvert failures, and drainage system failures requiring state and potential federal assistance.