Historic Michigan blizzard prompts emergency declaration by Gov. Whitmer

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Mar 17, 2026

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LANSING, Mich. — Citing extreme winter weather, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared Tuesday a state of emergency in seven counties and a statewide energy emergency.

A winter storm system on Sunday and Monday dropped 2 feet to 4 feet of snow across much of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, causing widespread damage, according to the governor's office.

The declaration of a state of emergency authorizes the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the seven counties: Alcona, Alpena, Delta, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Wexford.

"This afternoon, I’ve declared a state of emergency for counties in the U.P. and northern Michigan to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to a historic blizzard," Whitmer said in a press release. “By taking this action, the state can respond to local requests faster and make every resource available to local communities to clear roads, deliver fuel, fix damage and keep the lights on."

The energy emergency exempts motor carriers and drivers transporting propane and heating oil from hours-of-service regulations, according to Whitmer's order.

The governor's office said the energy emergency would "ensure the speedy delivery of heating fuel to affected people."

On March 31, 2025, Whitmer declared a state of emergency in 10 counties in northern Michigan following an ice storm — Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac, and Alpena.

The next day, she signed executive orders adding Alcona and Antrim counties to the declaration and lifted trucking restrictions to help expedite getting fuel and other supplies to impacted areas.

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