Whitmer declares State of Emergency as Midwest prepares for storm

MARQUETTE COUNTY –Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a State of Emergency for all of Michigan, as bitterly cold temperatures are expected late Tuesday night.

Whitmer’s order is an effort to ensure public safety as it relates to dangerous conditions on the roadways and the sub-zero wind chills. The state is currently working with agencies at the local level in hopes of making sure that areas are prepared with necessary resources to handle the worst situations.

“People here in the U.P. are pretty self sufficient – we know we have backup plans and emergency plans,” said Emergency Management Coordinator, Teresa Schwalbach. “We have kits that go in the back of our cars to make sure that if something does happen when we’re off the road, that we have those things available, like flashlights, blankets, and food that’s not perishable.”

“We’re seeing conditions where there’s black ice – just remember that salt doesn’t work when it gets to these cold temperatures,” said MSP Trooper Stacey Rasunen. “We just want people to slow down, maintain control of their vehicle, and pull over, if you’re having problems, to a safe place like a parking lot.”

The local emergency operations center has not been activated, as Marquette County has the available resources at the moment, according to Schwalbach. Motorists are encouraged to check travel conditions before heading out onto the roads.