Ice Storm Information
Provided by County EOC
For Emergencies Dial 9-1-1
For All Non-Emergencies Dial 2-1-1
For All Non-Emergencies Dial 2-1-1
Public Information Updates
Generator Mini Grant
Exciting news for small businesses in Montmorency County. The Michigan Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the 2025 Urgent Need Program awards Montmorency County $72,000.
Small business (Bricks & Mortar) portable generator request…there will be 30 generators and supporting equipment going to communities in Montmorency County. Application required for consideration and are now available. Applications are available on the web at montcounty.org, on the Montmorency Emergency Response Facebook page or in person at the Office of Emergency Management at the courthouse in Atlanta. If you would like an application emailed to you or have questions, please contact 989-619-5608, [email protected].
Applications may be emailed back to [email protected] or delivered to the courthouse at 12265 M-32 Atlanta no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Portable generator size and specs will be approximately:
WGen 15000/12000-wattpush button/remote start gasoline powered
Small business (Bricks & Mortar) portable generator request…there will be 30 generators and supporting equipment going to communities in Montmorency County. Application required for consideration and are now available. Applications are available on the web at montcounty.org, on the Montmorency Emergency Response Facebook page or in person at the Office of Emergency Management at the courthouse in Atlanta. If you would like an application emailed to you or have questions, please contact 989-619-5608, [email protected].
Applications may be emailed back to [email protected] or delivered to the courthouse at 12265 M-32 Atlanta no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Portable generator size and specs will be approximately:
WGen 15000/12000-wattpush button/remote start gasoline powered
SBA Loans for Montmorency Residents Available!
SBA will accept a late application for a disaster loan for the ice storm for up to 60 days after the Aug. 8 deadline. There is no more in-person assistance available in MI, but people can call our Customer Service Center at:
800-659-2955 or email to [email protected] for assistance with their application, a status update, etc.
This is the link to apply:
https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=MI-20034
Common questions we are hearing as we meet people across the affected counties:
Q./ Do disaster loans cover insurance deductibles?
A./ Yes.
Q/ Can a Homeowner Association (HOA) apply for a disaster loan?
A./ Yes, if it is organized as a non-profit.
Q./ Can I apply for a disaster loan for my vacation home?
A./ Ordinarily, disaster loans are only for a primary residence (the address used on the owner’s federal income tax return, for example). But, if an owner rents their vacation home, it might be eligible for a business loan for physical damages and/or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan to help cover monthly expenses if they have lost rental income due to making repairs.
Q./ Is there an upper income limit for applying for a disaster loan?
A./ No.
800-659-2955 or email to [email protected] for assistance with their application, a status update, etc.
This is the link to apply:
https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=MI-20034
Common questions we are hearing as we meet people across the affected counties:
Q./ Do disaster loans cover insurance deductibles?
A./ Yes.
Q/ Can a Homeowner Association (HOA) apply for a disaster loan?
A./ Yes, if it is organized as a non-profit.
Q./ Can I apply for a disaster loan for my vacation home?
A./ Ordinarily, disaster loans are only for a primary residence (the address used on the owner’s federal income tax return, for example). But, if an owner rents their vacation home, it might be eligible for a business loan for physical damages and/or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan to help cover monthly expenses if they have lost rental income due to making repairs.
Q./ Is there an upper income limit for applying for a disaster loan?
A./ No.
Surviving the Ice Storm: Nature's Resilience and Challenges
Information for Landowners Affected by the 2025 Ice Storm
Below are a variety of resources that may be of help to owners of forested land affected by the late March ice storm. Please read through the information provided carefully as it will likely answer some of your questions.
Before cutting and removing broken and downed trees yourself, or hiring someone, please read the following:
First, find out if you qualify for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
Administered by the Farm Service Agency, or FSA, this program provides payments to eligible forest landowners to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-forest-restoration-program-efrp
Second, be sure you AND your hired tree service know how properly prune the tree.
Broken limbs can provide a path for rot and disease to enter the tree and should be pruned, or cut off, if possible. A proper pruning cut is done using the three-cut method and should result in the face cut being flush with the branch collar. Remember, how your trees are pruned today will create their future shape.
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/carringtonrec/archive/northern-hardy-fruit-evaluation-project/fruit-project-results/basic-pruning-cuts -OR - https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-landscape-trees
Trees that lost the tops of their trunk or tips of their branches may require a reduction cut, which is a pruning cut that reduces the trunk or branch back to the nearest limb. Please visit the site below to learn more about reduction cuts; and insist any tree trimming company you hire also follow these directions.
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/stem-reduction.shtml
It is not necessary to use paint or a pruning sealer on a wound, trees will seal off the exposed tissue from within. The exception is oak trees; always paint fresh wounds to oak trees during the growing season to prevent the risk of oak wilt.
Find a Certified Arborist
Using a certified arborist to remediate damage in yard trees is recommended; use the link below to locate a certified arborist in your area.
https://www.asm-isa.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=883139&module_id=274045
State of Michigan Ice Storm Information webpage
Includes resources for residents. Public debris disposal sites, damage assessment self-reporting tool, opportunities for volunteering and donations.
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/emhsd/2025-northern-michigan-ice-storm
Michigan DNR Storm Recovery webpage
Includes ice related closures of DNR public land, trails, and facilities as well as fuelwood permits and volunteer information for trails and state parks.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/storm-recovery
Forestry Assistance
Note these foresters are extremely busy with disaster response. Thank you for your patience.
Montmorency and Alpena Counties – Dr. Greg Corace. [email protected]. 989-356-3596 x102.
Presque Isle and Cheboygan Counties – Jacob Grochowski. [email protected]. 989-734-5202.
Before cutting and removing broken and downed trees yourself, or hiring someone, please read the following:
First, find out if you qualify for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
Administered by the Farm Service Agency, or FSA, this program provides payments to eligible forest landowners to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-forest-restoration-program-efrp
Second, be sure you AND your hired tree service know how properly prune the tree.
Broken limbs can provide a path for rot and disease to enter the tree and should be pruned, or cut off, if possible. A proper pruning cut is done using the three-cut method and should result in the face cut being flush with the branch collar. Remember, how your trees are pruned today will create their future shape.
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/carringtonrec/archive/northern-hardy-fruit-evaluation-project/fruit-project-results/basic-pruning-cuts -OR - https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-landscape-trees
Trees that lost the tops of their trunk or tips of their branches may require a reduction cut, which is a pruning cut that reduces the trunk or branch back to the nearest limb. Please visit the site below to learn more about reduction cuts; and insist any tree trimming company you hire also follow these directions.
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/stem-reduction.shtml
It is not necessary to use paint or a pruning sealer on a wound, trees will seal off the exposed tissue from within. The exception is oak trees; always paint fresh wounds to oak trees during the growing season to prevent the risk of oak wilt.
Find a Certified Arborist
Using a certified arborist to remediate damage in yard trees is recommended; use the link below to locate a certified arborist in your area.
https://www.asm-isa.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=883139&module_id=274045
State of Michigan Ice Storm Information webpage
Includes resources for residents. Public debris disposal sites, damage assessment self-reporting tool, opportunities for volunteering and donations.
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/emhsd/2025-northern-michigan-ice-storm
Michigan DNR Storm Recovery webpage
Includes ice related closures of DNR public land, trails, and facilities as well as fuelwood permits and volunteer information for trails and state parks.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/storm-recovery
Forestry Assistance
Note these foresters are extremely busy with disaster response. Thank you for your patience.
Montmorency and Alpena Counties – Dr. Greg Corace. [email protected]. 989-356-3596 x102.
Presque Isle and Cheboygan Counties – Jacob Grochowski. [email protected]. 989-734-5202.
| landowner_ice_storm_info_2025.pdf |
Insurance Questions
Michigan Department of Insurance & Financial Services (DIFS) Website
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services’(DIFS) website may be helpful to residents when working with their insurance agent or insurance company to file a claim and repair damages arising from the devastating ice storms and severe weather. DIFS can also help answer questions regarding what an insurer must do and help explain policy language.
Additional information regarding disaster preparedness, as well as how to file a complaint against an insurance company with DIFS, is available on the DIFS website at Michigan.gov/DIFS under the “Consumer” dropdown.
Residents with insurance questions may also contact DIFS’ Office of Consumer Services to speak with a real person and receive assistance in real-time. The call center can be reached toll free at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Disaster Resources:
• NAIC Home Inventory List
• DIFS Guide to Resolving Insurance Problems/Complaint Form
• DIFS Consumer Counselor: Insurance Policies and How to Claim What is Yours
• How to be “Claim Smart”
• DIFS Consumer Counselor: Homeownership vs. Repair Cost Policies
• Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet
As a reminder, general recovery resources are also available at michigan.gov/icestorm.
Additional information regarding disaster preparedness, as well as how to file a complaint against an insurance company with DIFS, is available on the DIFS website at Michigan.gov/DIFS under the “Consumer” dropdown.
Residents with insurance questions may also contact DIFS’ Office of Consumer Services to speak with a real person and receive assistance in real-time. The call center can be reached toll free at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Disaster Resources:
• NAIC Home Inventory List
• DIFS Guide to Resolving Insurance Problems/Complaint Form
• DIFS Consumer Counselor: Insurance Policies and How to Claim What is Yours
• How to be “Claim Smart”
• DIFS Consumer Counselor: Homeownership vs. Repair Cost Policies
• Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet
As a reminder, general recovery resources are also available at michigan.gov/icestorm.
Disaster & Recover Efforts
Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund
The Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund provides grants directly to struggling hospitality workers. Grants cover basic needs like groceries and rent while people recover from illness, injury, and natural disaster, as well as financial support in times of crisis.
After the Storm - Forest Tips
See an article on forests after the storm from the Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District Forester, Dr. Corace along with other pertinent information on casualty losses and tax tips.
For updates on Road Clearing Progress, Power Outages, Resources, and other information regarding the ice storm visit the State website below.
After the Disaster, Please Be Aware of Scams
Please Contact 211 for any needs, the EOC gets those requests and can work on filling any needs for the community that are being missed.
Any Information on Available Volunteer Sites to Use for Debris Dumping, Please Contact the Controller's Office at 989.785.8002 for us to Review the Location.
Debris Sites: The traffic to the debris sites has been decreasing overall. The last week of the sites being open, people began to be belligerent with our site monitors and were trying to dump garbage and building materials at our sites. We also saw a lot of traffic from neighboring counties trying to utilize our sites. It was getting more difficult to keep these sites open freely due to these issues. Private Sites need to be aware of the concerns with trespassing, after hour dumping, and terrain so people don’t get stuck. (locked site is recommended)
- Montmorency County has provided three (3) sites, one of which is a centrally located private site. Due to two of the sites being gravel pits, we are not able to utilize them currently. The private site is full, and we are waiting for the chipping services to clean it up so we can reopen to the public.
- EGLE extended the permit to have the debris on the sites, but that is not the same as keeping the sites open. We are limited to have the debris chipped and hauled away by that extension date of September 12.
ALL DEBRIS SITES ARE CLOSED!
The County is working on extending options for debris by opening up one site location for the County. Chipping needs to be completed to make room for this and then we can reopen, please be patient while we work on the details of getting this back open for you.
CHECK BURING RESTRICTIONS EVERY DAY!
When burning is permitted again, please do not leave fires unattended at any time. DO NOT DUMP your debris onto State Land, this could cause fire risk for the entire community. You must follow all State & Local Ordinances to burn vegetative debris. Link for guidelines and burn permit info:
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
The below site has been identified by the County for use by all county residents for disposal of VEGETATIVE DEBRIS ONLY (tree branches, limbs, and brush). This site will be manned by community members, when you drop your debris off, they will be filling out a ticket and asking for your address. This is for reporting in case of a Federal Declaration so that our residents qualify.
BRILEY SITE
Gas Well Entrance on LaClair Farm
Corner of County Rd. 489 and 487 in Atlanta
44.99310621570195, -84.14394352302088
PLEASE NOTE: If garbage or other non-vegetative material is mixed in with the tree debris, your entire load will NOT be accepted. We are trying to keep the debris contained to reduce the risk of wildfire.
Cleanup Services
Our primary objective has been to establish a clear and accessible avenue for individuals who fall within vulnerable demographics, including the elderly, those with specific access and functional needs, or those facing economic hardships, and to initiate a debris removal process for debris located on private properties. Please call Michigan 211. 2-1-1 will collect caller information and assist with getting that information into Crisis Cleanup, a cloud-based platform. This platform serves as a central repository from which Michigan Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MI VOAD) teams can access and assess the information to determine how best they can aid. The VOAD will work directly with the homeowner to resolve the issue. VOAD is designed to specifically help people who cannot do this for themselves and help those who may not have insurance coverage for this service. Service is not guaranteed, but this is the best step to take to potentially get assistance in the area. Team Rubicon is now arriving on Friday, April 11th with a group of 20 to help with this service. They are being housed at a local church with access to showers at Atlanta Community Schools, thank you everyone that reached out to help!
Tree Cleanup Services
| Company | Phone |
| Climb High Tree Service | 248.444.8952 |
| Double D, LLC | 989.370.4253 |
| DRK Family Construction | 734.890.8860 |
| EMPI | 989.464.7662 |
| Genesee Land & Tree LLC | 989.370.5986 |
| Irvine's Tree Service | 517.879.6358 |
| Mike Hummel | 989.619.3322 |
| S&J Tree Service | 734.770.0029 |
| Stuckman's Tree Service | 989.732.5230 |
| T&T Land Services | 989.975.6844 |
| T-Comm Services-Ryan Kinsey | 231.676.2867 |
| The Beaver Bros LLC | 989.864.1505 |
| The Davey Tree Expert Company | 231.301.4687 |
| TParks LLC | 989.619.7603 |
During this ice storm it has created a lot of hard times for many. If you are struggling and in need of assistance or need just someone to talk to contact the
Northeast Michigan Community Health Authority
24 Hour Crisis Hotline at 1.800.968.1964
Thunder Bay Nurse Text Line
989.474.1959
Responses will be returned from 7am to 8pm daily
Electrical Services
As power infrastructure is repaired and power is coming back on please be aware of downed power lines and back feeding from your generator. Lines that may have not been live for the past couple weeks may now be live. Also plan to have an electrician check your homes for any damage to your home and appliances for your safety. Please continue to use caution.
County Electrical Inspector - Andy Roznowski
989.590.9404 Call for Inspections
Permits and inspections for electrical work done on your home will need to be done, contact the Building Department to get your permit or your electrician can pull that for you.
Local Electrical Companies
| Company | Phone |
| Andelec | 989.370.5144 |
| Arnold Electric | 248.505.4236 |
| Atom Electric, Inc. | 989.785.6669 |
| Gaylord Electric, Inc. | 989.786.3885 |
| Hardies Electric | 989.742.4362 |
| Hobson Electric | 989.733.4383 |
| Kirk Thatcher | 989.313.6870 |
| Morgan Electric | 989.733.8163 |
| Peck Electric | 989.742.3080 |
| Scotty's Electric | 989.786.2553 |
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Urgent Needs Grant Applications Remain Open for Ice Storm Recovery
Northeast Michigan is in full bloom, showing us that beauty can still come after a storm. But following the March's crippling ice storm, many in our communities are still facing hardships. Grant applications for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan’s Urgent Needs Fund remain open to nonprofits that are continuing to actively support individuals and families impacted. To date, $177,746 has been granted to nonprofits serving the seven counties within the Community Foundation’s service area that are in the declared state of emergency: Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Presque Isle, and Oscoda. Nonprofits serving Mackinaw City and Bois Blanc Island are also eligible. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to make these grants possible! As local organizations continue to assist those most in need because of the ice storm, Urgent Needs Fund grants will continue to support those efforts. Eligible projects include those that provide assistance in direct relation to the ice storm and its aftermath, including gas, groceries/food, utility assistance, transportation assistance, hotel stays due to unsafe living conditions created by the storm, tree removal and/or brush and debris removal that poses safety risks or prevents access to one’s home, property/equipment repairs or replacement, permit fees, electrical work, flooding damage, and other property/equipment needs. “We know there are still many challenges people in our communities are facing due to damage or unexpected expenses because of the ice storm,” says CFNEM Development and Marketing Director, Christine Hitch. “While the Community Foundation cannot support individuals directly, our grants do support the nonprofit organizations working to help people with needs that continue to arise.” Hitch added that if community members are aware of a neighbor, friend, or other resident with needs related to the ice storm, the Community Foundation encourages them to call or text 2-1-1, a service that can connect people with resources for food, housing, utilities, health, and other needs.
