MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Muskegon County has declared a state of emergency in the wake of severe storms that ravaged the area earlier this week.
Board Chairperson Charles T. Nash submitted a letter Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security explaining two storms resulted in “widespread severe damage” to property and infrastructure throughout the county.
Nash adds debris from the storm blocked state and local roads, further complicating emergency response.
"When the storm first began, we had approximately 6,070 miles of road that were deemed impassable," said Emergency Manager Renee Gavin during a press conference Thursday. "And we are right now down to about four or five miles of road with crews actively working on right now."
We’re told maximum output of municipal resources are being used as cleanup and recovery progresses.
"There was an extensive amount of damage to trees. And there's a lot of debris," adds Gavin. "And of course, when trees come down, it takes down power lines. And then you can't really get in and do anything until those are de-energized."
County officials are now waiting for the state's response to the emergency declaration.
Residents who still need to report storm damage may do so on the county's website.
READ MORE: Whitehall hard hit by severe storms, half of local roads in Muskegon County blocked
Follow FOX 17: Facebook - X (formerly Twitter) - Instagram - YouTube
