ONTONAGON — In response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s state of emergency declaration for Houghton and Ontonagon counties on Aug. 28, Mike Kocher, Ontonagon County Emergency Management coordinator, and Houghton County Office of Emergency Measures Director Chris Van Arsdale issued a joint statement, in which they both expressed appreciation for the declaration, saying collectively, the two counties suffered more than $5,000,000 in road damages.

On July 23, Houghton County received up to 4 inches of rain over a four-hour period, causing flash flooding that damaged public infrastructure including roads, culverts, and storm sewers. In Ontonagon County, the same heavy rain event washed out multiple roads, causing extensive damage and limiting access to communities.

Kocker said the extent of m

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