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Houghton County Board seeks state disaster aid after spring flooding, cites $18.07 million in damages

Houghton County Board of Commissioners · March 1, 2026

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Summary

The Houghton County Board unanimously adopted Resolution #23-16 on Sept. 12, 2023 requesting a State Disaster Contingency Fund grant under Section 19 of Act 390 to reimburse spring 2023 flood costs totaling $18,073,066 and authorized the county road engineer to apply on the county’s behalf.

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 12 to request state disaster relief after spring flood damage, approving Resolution #23-16 and authorizing the county road engineer to file the application.

Chris VanArsdale, Director of the Office of Emergency Measures, described the application materials and estimates tied to a $500,000 reimbursement request after spring 2023 flooding. The resolution submitted to the board states that public damage and expenditures from the event total $18,073,066 and cites Section 19 of the Emergency Management Act, Act 390, as the authority for the State Disaster Contingency Fund request.

Commissioner Joel Keranen moved to approve Resolution #23-16 with a numeric correction; Commissioner Glenn Anderson seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote, 5-0. Chairman Tom Tikkanen signed the resolution and County Clerk Jennifer Kelly certified its adoption.

The resolution also authorizes Kevin Harju, Houghton County Road Engineer, to execute the application and to provide any required information to the state. The resolution text submitted to the board describes infrastructure damage including failed railroad grades acting as earthen dams, stormwater system overwhelm, road washouts and locations with over 12 inches of silt deposition.

Next steps: the board’s action authorizes county staff to pursue state review and does not guarantee funding; the transcript records that FEMA previously denied the county’s request and the state is pursuing an appeal. The board’s motion does not specify an exact award date or timeline for state action.