Whitmer declares emergency for Detroit suburbs after storms

LANSING. Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for three suburban Detroit cities after they requested state aide for damage caused by severe thunderstorms and high winds July 7.

Whitmer issued the declaration Monday for the cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills and Southfield.

With it, Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts above and beyond what it has provided in conjunction with local agencies.

An intense line of thunderstorms with high winds struck the southwest area of Oakland County and traveled through southern Macomb County. The cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills, and Southfield sustained flooding and a large number of downed trees and electrical lines across homes, businesses, and roadways, resulting in power outages, blocked roadways and damage to public and private property and infrastructure, Whitmer’s office said.