Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is asking President Joe Biden to declare a major disaster declaration for five Upper Peninsula counties impacted earlier this year by flooding due to record spring snowmelt. Whitmer says Friday that a presidential declaration would activate federal resources for Baraga, Gogebic, Iron, Marquette, and Ontonagon counties. Snowmelt due to warming temperatures and rainfall caused widespread and repeated flooding across the west-central Upper Peninsula from April 10 to May 14. Storm water and sewer systems were overwhelmed, dams burst and culverts and embankments failed. Drinking water systems, roadways and bridges also were damaged. A preliminary assessment estimated more than $56 million damage.
