Dear neighbor,

In the wake of the recent ice storms across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, I continue to work closely with state and local officials to help address the needs of the region and ensure our residents are safe.

Below, you will find a brief 37th District county-by-county update as of Wednesday night.

You can also follow my Facebook page for more updates as more information becomes available.

Sincerely,

John Damoose
State Senator
37th District

This county is doing well, and the Antrim County Emergency Management official asked us to convey that the situation is rapidly improving, especially around the Lakes of the North area. They are beginning to send resources to Otsego County to help there.

This county is also improving. Boyne City and East Jordan are coming back online, with most gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants receiving power. Charlevoix was coming back online as I wrote this update. I hear it takes about 45 minutes per circuit to bring power back on once they are prepared, and Charlevoix has 12 of them. That process began around noon on Wednesday.

For those of you who, like myself, still do not have power at your home, we will get through this together. I know it can be frustrating to hear about progress in other places and see nothing happening at your own home. But please know this progress is good news for all of us, and it means that people see us, hear us and are here to help. Resources are beginning to reopen in our towns and cities, and more crews are being freed up to push into outlying areas.

If you are still stuck in a critical situation, please contact your county sheriff’s office. National Guard troops are continuing to come into each county to assist with getting these roads cleared. We can do this.

This area is making good progress in its recovery response. They have sufficient fuel, food and water supplies. The government center, Walmart, and many areas downtown are back on the power grid. We spoke with several road commissions who were shocked by the damage they’ve seen but feel confident they will continue to open more roads in the coming days.

Indian River hasn’t gotten back on yet, but the community is resolute, and power is coming back on closer and closer as recovery continues. The main issue here is the outlying areas. I have seen the comments on my updates about people who are trapped out in the woods. I was very glad to see the same concerns being discussed at the Cheboygan County Emergency Management meeting this afternoon. The National Guard will help get these back roads clear and free people from their homes. Help is coming!

Both counties need fuel. As far as I know, Arco, Shell, Krist and Meijer in Sault Ste. Marie still have gas. St. Ignace has power in most grocery stores and the business district. Outlying areas are still ongoing. We are pushing to get Chippewa County added to the governor’s state of emergency declaration to better access fuel resources. Also, we are helping explore options to route fuel from Wisconsin and the Western U.P.

Things are coming along, with strong coordinated efforts from local leaders. Power is restored to the city of Petoskey. Groups like the Manna Food Project are doing a great job keeping resources flowing to the public, and wellness checks are underway throughout the county. We are currently working with local officials to route a much-needed generator to power Manna’s equipment. National Guard troops are in Emmet County to help. Lambda Energy has stepped up to offer more propane. Please contact the county sheriff if your supplies are critical and you can’t find any.

Disasters can often bring out the best in people. I was so impressed by Dan Bissonette and his family —Jake and Jeremy Bissonette and Nick Hyde (pictured below). These guys rolled up their sleeves, pulled out their chainsaws and tractors, and cleared a path down a long road through one of the highest-damaged areas in Northern Michigan. I had received a call from a state trooper stranded at home on that road because he needed to get to work as a first responder. Before I had the chance to even try to help, these guys were out there getting the job done.

I know the last thing any of them want is credit or attention, but it is just so inspiring how people in Northern Michigan come together to help each other in good times and bad. This is the best of our society in some of the worst of times. Thanks for your great example!

The Pellston Regional Airport is another great example. It is open for locals and is doing a tremendous job providing rest, relief and resources.

While I was there, a truckload full of cots and blankets from the American Red Cross, as well as food and water from the Manna Food Project, arrived to be distributed.

I want to highlight some local heroes who have put in tremendous effort here, from the Red Cross team to the Delta workers who have stayed at the airport for the past several days just to help their community. Thank you to Bill Bird, Sheree Bell-Brown, Shawn Burns, Ryan Bachelor, Rob Boyer, Brody Hawkins and Mindy Dorsey for stepping up for our neighbors.

It was great to see so many families making the best out of a bad situation, and kids just having some fun. They have made the Pellston Airport a great environment in this challenging time.

I have been stopping by several warming shelters and know that these stories are happening across the region. From Indian River to St. Ignace and beyond, Northern Michigan communities are strong and resilient.

Michigan’s 37th Senate District includes Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Leelanau counties and portions of Mackinac and Chippewa counties.