Benzie County Office of Emergency Management

05/13/2026

If you need to report damage from April severe storms and flooding to a private primary residence please consider the Self-Reporting Survey: https://arcg.is/10ab1j

If you need assistance completing the survey please reach out to the Benzie County Office of Emergency Management and we will arrange an in-person meeting.

This survey is provided by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division for statewide use for residents to report damage following disasters. Survey data is shared with local Emergency Management programs.

05/12/2026

DAMAGE ASSEMENTS BEGIN: Preliminary damage assessments will begin tomorrow across 30 counties impacted by March’s severe weather. Teams from MSP/EMHSD, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration may be in your community evaluating the extent, severity, and impact of recent flooding and tornado damage.

The information gathered during these assessments helps determine whether the state meets the criteria to request a federal disaster declaration and FEMA Individual Assistance for affected residents.

Michigan State Police | | | |

📸Preliminary damage assessments conducted of tornado damage in Branch County on March 17, 2026

04/25/2026

Congrats! Benzie County VSU for being recognized as Unit of the Year! VSU Advocates are some fantastic humans ready to help when people are having a really hard day.

04/20/2026

April 20, 2026 4:00pm
Thank you for your patience. We are all trying to get to a better place (in more ways than one) and sometimes we need the gift of patience.

Benzie County - State of Emergency Update.
On Wednesday April 15, 2026 the Governor expanded the state of emergency declaration to include Benzie County adding it to the total of 38 counties and two cities. Benzie County is currently in the recovery stage of our emergency. Several other jurisdictions are still in the response phase and actively protecting public infrastructure, property, and life safety.

Our water levels are slowly receding - we can now see some of the public infrastructure to assess the level of damage. Some of the damage is deeper than what we can see (remember we were just released from frost restrictions) so Engineers need to assess them further before we can get everything "back to normal". For this reason - Please respect the road closure signs, cones, caution tape, and barricades.

If you see public infrastructure that needs attention please contact Benzie County OEM or The Benzie County Road Commission

Resource links including the online self reporting tool for residents, businesses, and property owners - to report personal damage sustained during this recent weather event can be found at www.benzieco.gov/eoc

A large thank you to our "non-governmental" neighbors (you know who you are) and our private business partners like Gillison's Excavating - who helped us get necessary work done.

Thank you to our other partners: Benzie County Road Commission , Benzie County Sheriff's Office, Benzonia Township Fire Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service - SBNL, Benzie County Central Dispatch, MDNR Fisheries Division, MDNR Law Enforcement Division, Benzie CERT, Michigan State Police, and Village of Thompsonville DPW.

We most likely missed a few. Please feel free to identify great neighbors who went above and beyond to help in your community in the comments.

And please continue to check your patience - especially if you have to drive toward Traverse City.

04/17/2026

NEWS Release from Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services

Following the severe weather and flooding that has continued to impact many Michigan communities this week, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is providing tips and resources to help residents with filing insurance claims and protecting themselves from fraud.

Affected residents should contact their insurance agent or company to review their policy, determine what coverage may be available, and promptly file any claims. It’s important to note that most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Those experiencing water-related damage should be aware that the term “flood” may have a specialized meaning under their insurance policy and there can be many causes for water damage, including storm-related rainwater intrusion, sewer backup, or failing sump pump, which may be covered under the policy.
Anyone impacted by the severe weather or flooding across the state should:

• First, contact their insurance company’s claims hotline and/or agent to report damage to their home or vehicle and file a claim. Have the policy number and other relevant information readily available. To make this process easier, DIFS offers an insurance claim tracking tool to organize information.

• Take steps to protect the property and prevent further loss. Be sure to keep receipts for any purchases of supplies that are needed to protect the property.

• Document the loss. Take pictures or videos of the damaged items and do not get rid of the items until instructed to do so by the insurance company.

• Stay vigilant of fraud and scams. After a severe weather incident, fraudsters claiming to be adjusters, contractors, and other service providers often go door-to-door pretending to offer services, like debris cleanup or building repairs, that will not be completed or may be completed with poor-quality materials or shoddy workmanship.

• Contact their insurance company before hiring a contractor. Be sure to check the service provider’s credentials, including licenses, references, and insurance. Also, remember that insurance adjusters are paid by the insurance company and should never ask homeowners for any payment for their services that are covered by their homeowners or renter’s policy.

• Contact DIFS with questions or concerns about insurance coverage. DIFS encourages consumers to first attempt to resolve any claim disputes directly with their insurance company or agent. If a resolution cannot be reached, DIFS can assist. Consumers can contact DIFS' Office of Consumer Services’ live call center at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information from DIFS can be found at:

Disaster Preparedness

04/17/2026

We will be out conducting damage assessments in Benzie County today.

Please help be our eyes out there. Watch for damage to public infrastructure and report any issues immediately to The OEM or Benzie County Road Commission. Sinkholes in shoulders or roadways are especially critical and should be reported right away.

If you need to report damage to a private primary residence please consider the Self-Reporting Survey: https://arcg.is/10ab1j

If you need assistance completing the survey please reach out to the Benzie County Office of Emergency Management and we will arrange an in-person meeting.

This survey is provided by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division for statewide use for residents to report damage following disasters. Survey data is shared with local Emergency Management programs.

04/16/2026

4/16/2026 1253pm - If you are a private property owner that experienced damage to your primary residence structure due to flooding in Benzie County as of 4/14/2026 please consider self-reporting using the link https://arcg.is/10ab1j or attached QR code.

This resource is also available on the Benzie County Emergency Management webpage www.benzieco.gov/eoc If you need assistance with assessing or reporting your damage please contact Rebecca at Benzie County Office of Emergency Management. The EM phone number and email are listed on the webpage.

04/16/2026

4/16/2026 11:17am Benzie County Local State of Emergency update.

Tuesday, Benzie County formalized a Local declaration for a State of Emergency due to the increased water levels encroaching on our roadways, private property, and impacting the Homestead Dam structure on the Betsie River. Last night, Governor Whitmer included Benzie County in the State declaration of Emergency along with over 30 other counties.

More public information from a state information level can be found at link: https://www.michigan.gov/aprilstorms

Water levels are still fluctuating (including drains, ground water, runoffs and water bodies) and we are monitoring all of Benzie County with support from the Benzie County Road Commission and The Benzie County Sheriff’s Office.

If you are looking for resources we recommend utilizing 211 either by dialing or through the website https://mi211.org/

Information on carrying concealed pistols, permits, renewal, frequently asked questions, pistol free areas, pistol safety training course information, and more.

04/15/2026

Please avoid entering barricaded road closures - they are not safe for people or property. The Benzie County Road Commission will continue to update with posts as they continuously monitor and reinforce our local road

**Road Closure Update** 4/15/26

Gorivan Road (Section 19 – Blaine Township), on the east side of Upper Herring Lake, is **closed** due to the road being washed out between Mick/Herron Road and Herring/Putney Road.

Access to Indian Trail and Sumac trail is **only available from the south** at this time.

Lewis Road (Section 30 – Crystal Lake Township), a seasonal road north of River Road close to Forrester rd. , is also **closed and under water** due to high levels on the Betsie River.

Please avoid these areas and do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

Stay safe, and thank you for your patience.

04/14/2026

Media Release 2 4/14/2026 5:10pm
Re: Betsie River – Homestead Dam – Benzie County, MI

Heavy rainfall has impacted several locations in Benzie County, very similar to many other jurisdictions across Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. Pleasant weather today has allowed for some drying and for work crews to progress on stabilization efforts at the Homestead Dam on the Betsie River.

Monday 4/13/2026 High water levels caused Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials to activate the Homestead Dam Emergency Action Plan and start reinforcement operations to fortify the Homestead Dam (Section 2 T25N, R15W) Benzonia Township, Benzie County, Michigan.

The Benzie County Board of Commission and County Board Chair Art Jeannot signed a declaration of a local state of emergency for Benzie County, affirming that local response plans had been activated and resources were being utilized to the fullest possible extent to manage current and future conditions. The Benzie County Emergency Operations Center is activated to support the dam stabilization operations as we expect water levels to increase and the potential for additional precipitation.

Property owners and residents in areas along the Betsie River, downstream from the Homestead Dam, should take precautions to protect property and prepare. If the dam structure becomes compromised, a notice of evacuation will be issued.

Homestead Dam is not a source for hydro-power and its status was not a cause for the local Consumers Energy power outage. Please be mindful of the closed off areas around the Homestead Dam for personal safety.

Responders are not overlooking other county locations (aside from the Betsie River) impacted by high water and flooding. All residents and property owners on any local water system should take high water precautions to protect property and stay safe.