(1/28/2019) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is declaring a statewide state of emergency ahead of bitterly cold weather coming to Michigan late Tuesday.
Forecasts show Mid-Michigan may not get above zero degrees on Wednesday and barely get above zero on Thursday. Morning lows on both days will be well below zero.
Even worse, wind chills beginning Tuesday night could reach -30 degrees or lower. Frostbite can set in on exposed skin in five to 15 minutes in temperatures that low.
Whitmer said she signed the emergency declaration late Monday and she planned to file it with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office on Tuesday morning.
“Keeping Michiganders safe during this stretch of dangerously cold temperatures is our priority,” Whitmer said. “Such widespread, extreme conditions have not occurred in Michigan for many years and it is imperative that we are proactive with record-low temperatures being predicted by the National Weather Service."
The statewide emergency declaration means state agencies are working more closely with local communities and emergency management agencies to ensure adequate resources are available to take care of residents.
Conditions and needs will be continually assessed, and appropriate action will be taken as warranted to protect public health and safety.
Whitmer has activated the State Emergency Operations Center at the Michigan State Police headquarters in Dimondale. The center is staffed by representatives from various state agencies coordinating the response to the dangerous weather.
The center is able to obtain and deploy resources around Michigan as needed based on needs reported by local communities.