Gov. Snyder Declares State Of Disaster After Ionia County Tornado
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder has declared a state of disaster for Ionia County after last month's tornado caused significant damage to the city of Portland, Michigan.
The declaration announced Monday makes state resources available for recovery efforts. Area damage also was reported in Orange and Portland townships, about 25 miles northwest of Lansing.
The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts.
In addition, Snyder has opened up the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to affected local governments within Ionia County. Communities can apply for grants to cover eligible response costs of up to $100,000.
More than 50 homes and three churches were among the structures damaged when the twister hit the downtown area. A mother and two small children were rescued from a collapsed Goodwill store, and two others were helped from a damaged Rite Aid pharmacy. EF-1 rated tornado packed winds of around 100 mph, the National Weather Service said,
Since June 22, Ionia County has been under a local state of emergency. Storms June 22-23 spawned several tornadoes around Michigan, causing destruction but no deaths.
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