Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gives a policy speech at an event April 9 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, file)

LANSING – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday appealed multiple federal disaster aid denials after the Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to approve key portions of Michigan’s request for critical assistance in the wake of the historic March ice storm in northern Michigan.

While local municipalities have been approved for and received federal funding, individual families, businesses and utilities have been denied, according to a news release from Whitmer’s office.

Between March 28 and 30, a severe ice storm paralyzed northern Michigan with extreme ice accumulation, causing prolonged and widespread power outages, hazardous conditions and record levels of infrastructure damage.

On July 22, President Donald J. Trump approved a federal disaster declaration authorizing FEMA Public Assistance funding for emergency work and certain permanent repairs across 13 counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

However, FEMA denied assistance for:

— PA Category F, which would fund permanent repairs to damaged utilities;

— Individual Assistance, which helps residents with housing and disaster-related losses; and

— Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds long-term projects to reduce future risks.

“Many Northern Michiganders are still reeling from the impacts of the ice storm that devastated communities earlier this year,” Whitmer said in the release. “Michigan families and businesses deserve the support they need to recover from these storms. That’s why I’m appealing FEMA’s disaster aid denials. I’ll keep fighting like hell to deliver relief for our residents, local governments and utility providers.”

The denial of PA Category F funding has significant implications for smaller electricity companies, or rural electric cooperatives that were among the hardest hit, according to the release.

Michigan has 30 days to submit a formal appeal, providing FEMA with updated data and compelling justification for why these programs are essential to support long-term recovery.

Federal lawmakers from Michigan also spoke out in favor of appealing FEMA’s denials.

“Northern Michigan families and communities are still carrying the burden of the devastating ice storm, and they deserve the full support of FEMA to recover. I’m committed to fighting for the resources our region needs, which is why I strongly support Governor Whitmer’s appeal to FEMA’s denial,” said U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet. “This is about standing up for Northern Michiganders and ensuring we are not left behind.”

“Northern Michigan was devastated by the ice storms earlier this year, and families and businesses are still struggling to rebuild,” said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan. “Recovery will continue to be out of reach without these critical resources from FEMA, which is why I support Governor Whitmer’s appeal. Michiganders deserve better.”

“Northern Michigan families and small businesses have shown resilience in the face of this once-in-a-generation ice storm, and now FEMA needs to step in to do their part,” said U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan. “That’s why I support Governor Whitmer’s appeal of FEMA’s denial. Michigan deserves these resources so we can rebuild and move forward.”