Executive Order 2026-8: Declaration of State of Emergency

Beginning on April 12, 2026, residents throughout the state-including those in the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon, and in the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo-have experienced prolonged rainfall, rapid snowmelt, straight-line winds, or tornadoes causing widespread flooding, elevated river levels, and damaged roads, homes, and property. As a result, impassible roads have made rescue and evacuation operations difficult in many regions and multiple rivers throughout the state have continued to experience rising water levels, threatening the condition of various dams. Additional rainfall is expected in the coming days, increasing the risk of flooding. This severe weather poses a significant threat of widespread injury and displacement of residents in these counties and cities.

Multiple first responders and other personnel have been working around the clock to address these conditions statewide. On April 10th, I declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County in EO 2026-5 due to the threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, where crews are working continuously to protect that community. On April 14th, I declared a statewide energy emergency in EO 2026-6 following a weather-related supply disruption at the U.S. Energy Cheboygan petroleum terminal. And on April 15th, I declared a state of emergency for 32 other counties throughout the state in EO 2026-7. Now, it is necessary to declare a further state of emergency for additional counties and cities to address and mitigate these ongoing conditions.

Local officials in Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon counties, and in the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, have taken several actions to respond to the situation, such as issuing local emergency declarations, activating the response and recovery aspects of their emergency operations plans, and providing public information. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient. State assistance and other outside resources, including potential federal assistance, are necessary to respond to and recover from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), "[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists."

Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I order the following:

1. A state of emergency is declared for the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon, and for the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize state efforts and may call upon all state departments to assist in the designated areas consistent with the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.
3. The state of emergency is terminated when the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than May 15, 2026, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.

Click to view the full PDF of the executive order.