Marquette, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – Governor Rick Snyder has declared a state of emergency for Marquette County due to widespread, severe damage to water and sewer lines caused by extremely cold temperatures and deep frost levels.
With the declaration, the state will make available all resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts.
It also authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts.
Communities in Marquette County have been coping with frozen water and sewer mains throughout this winter.
The deep frost levels have caused widespread and severe damage and failure of water and sewer systems, fire hydrants and public roads, compromising public health and safety due to delayed fire suppression and emergency vehicle response and reduced capacity the to treat wastewater.
Since Feb. 21st, Marquette County has been under “local state of emergency,” which activates local emergency response and recovery plans.
By requesting a governor’s declaration, the county determined local resources were insufficient to fully address the situation.
