(WXYZ) — President Donald Trump has declared that a major disaster exists in Michigan.
On Friday, the president ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the coronavirus pandemic beginning on January 20 and continuing.
As a result of the declaration, federal funding available for crisis counseling for affected individuals in all areas of Michigan.
The Crisis Counseling Program is a direct-support program to provide services for those whose mental health has been impacted by the spread of COVID-19, according to Gov. Whitmer's office.
The federal government also granted the governor’s request for emergency protective measures, including funding for transporting and pre-positioning equipment, Emergency Operation Center (EOC)-related costs, medical supplies and personal protective equipment, medical care and transport, and childcare. The governor’s request for Hazard Mitigation assistance to help provide relief during planning for recovery in the long-term is currently under review.
On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the president requesting a major disaster declaration.
Let’s all keep working to fight this virus together. pic.twitter.com/UNqU22SuEL
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) March 28, 2020
Federal funding is also available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for all areas in Michigan impacted by COVID-19, according to the White House.
So far, these states have received disaster declarations from the White House to COVID-19 federal support:
- March 27 - Michigan, Guam
- March 26 - Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey
- March 25 - North Carolina, Florida, Texas
- March 24 - Louisiana, Iowa
- March 22 - California, State of Washington
- March 20 - New York
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
