The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Michigan's request for individual disaster assistance for damage caused by flooding in the Upper Peninsula in June. Governor Rick Snyder asked FEMA to declare a disaster in Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties.
President Donald Trump's administration issued a disaster declaration on August 3, providing those counties with assistance for public facilities and infrastructure. FEMA's denial letter says the state and local government's can handle the impact to homes and businesses.
Governor Snyder is now asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare a disaster in the three counties. If approved, the SBA would offer low-interest loans to eligible homeowners and businesses.
The flooding in the Upper Peninsula happened on June 16 and 17. Governor Snyder declared a disaster in Houghton and Menominee counties on June 18 and in Gogebic County on June 21.
