GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reminding Michigan residents that people have until May 8 to apply for financial assistance.
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for nine counties in February to help people impacted by the storms that swept through between Aug. 24 and 26.
A tornado touched down Aug. 24 north of Grand Rapids, downing trees and damaging homes. Straight-line winds and flooding also caused widespread damage. The covered counties are Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne.
This 30-foot camper was tossed 50 feet behind a home in Comstock Park as a tornado swept through on Aug. 24, 2023. (WOOD TV8 file) 
A photo of tornado damage in Comstock Park on Aug. 24, 2023. (WOOD TV8 file) 
Cleanup continues of trees downed and damaged in the Aug. 24, 2023, tornado. (WOOD TV8 file) 
A photo of tornado damage in Comstock Park on Aug. 24, 2023. (WOOD TV8 file)
FEMA assistance is available to cover things that are not covered by insurance, including rental assistance, damaged or destroyed property, lodging reimbursement and basic home repairs.
As of last month, FEMA had already approved more than $103 million in grants. The agency has temporarily opened 15 Disaster Recovery Centers across the state where people can get one-on-one help walking through the application process.
Residents can call the FEMA helpline at 800.621.3362 or apply through FEMA’s website or the agency’s mobile app.
