Plows returned to the roads by late Monday, some businesses were able to reopen Tuesday, and the wind — which had been brutal and caused whiteouts on Sunday and Monday — finally died down.

However, schools and governmental buildings remained closed yesterday, announced additional closures for Wednesday, and many people have yet to dig themselves out of the snow.

“Due to massive amounts of work ahead of our Road Commission and other associated agencies, the County Board Chair and Emergency Management have submitted a Local Declaration of Emergency to the State of Michigan,” Delta County Emergency Management announced yesterday. “As part of this process we are also asking the Governor to declare a State Declaration which may open up further assistance from the State to restore the County to fully operational status in terms of roadway access, power, etc.”

The governor’s office responded with a release yesterday evening, declaring a state emergency for Alcona, Alpena, Delta, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Wexford counties.

Mikel Rodriguez pauses while shoveling on Tuesday morning. He hopes to dig his car out by Wednesday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

“By taking this action, the state can respond to local requests faster and make every resource available to local communities to clear roads, deliver fuel, fix damage and keep the lights on. I want to thank all first responders who are working tirelessly to keep people safe,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

By declaring a state of emergency, the governor has authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected counties. The declaration also allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act.

“As response and recovery efforts continue, we encourage all residents in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to stay home and stay safe when possible,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police and state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Avoiding nonessential travel helps keep our roads clear and lets first responders and road crews focus on the task at hand, clearing the way and ensuring safety for everyone.”

The MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) is coordinating the state’s emergency response through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

Even amidst the storm, power companies and public works departments did what they could when it was possible, before conditions became too treacherous. The high winds left over 14,000 in northern Michigan without electricity, a number that has been rapidly decreasing.

With no plows in action and roads impassable to regular traffic, a snowmobiler cruises down Third Avenue South on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Scott)

Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association reported that they had made it down to just 183 outages by 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, after experiencing 1,920 outages at noon on Monday.

The scale of the task at hand — though partially competed — is illustrated in this announcement from Carney-Nadeau Public School, released yesterday:

“While the (county road commission) feels they may have main side roads cleared today, they won’t be able clear the more minor side roads before tomorrow, and those are the roads on which most of our kids live. The county has been at it nonstop, but there’s only so many miles they can clear in a day. It’s just not going to be possible for us to have school tomorrow (March 18).

“We have made a lot of progress down at the school. In the some places drifts were ten feet tall, but we mostly have the parking lot and entrances cleared. Until we can get down those side roads, though, there’s just not much else we can do.”

CANCELLATIONS

Jared Bouchard snowblows outside the Daily Press on Tuesday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

– Escanaba Area Public Schools; Gladstone Area Schools; Bark River-Harris Schools; Rapid River Public Schools; North Central Area Schools; Big Bay de Noc School; Mid Peninsula School District; Manistique Area Schools; Hannahville Indian School / Nah Tah Wahsh PSA, daycare, FACE, and Youth Services; Holy Name Catholic School, Stephenson Area Public Schools and Menominee Area Public Schools are closed for a third consecutive day today to allow for continued snow cleanup.

– The “Business after Hours” event associated with the Delta Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by Leigh’s Garden Winery and Northshore Flats Waterfront Condos is cancelled. It had been scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. at Leigh’s today.

A walkway carved up to a house on South Seventh Street in Escanaba shows the depth of the snow on Tuesday morning. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)