FEMA Twice Denied Michigan Disaster Funding After Deadly Southwest Michigan Tornadoes

It’s official: Michigan will not be receiving any financial assistance from the federal emergency management agency, better known as FEMA, for those who were affected by the tornadoes that struck on March 6, 2026.

The state has done everything it has been able to do to assist those who were affected by four tornadoes that ripped through Southwest Michigan in Three Rivers, Edwardsburg and Union City, where a 12-year-old child and three adults were killed, and millions of dollars of damage was caused.

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However, the Michigan State Police announced that FEMA has denied the state of Michigan’s appeal for funding for Saint Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties.

FEMA reaffirmed its denial of funding on June 23, which was immediately appealed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but it is now official that no help is coming.

Although the leaders of our country have no interest in helping our communities, Captain Kevin Sweeney, the deputy state Director of Emergency Management and the Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD), isn’t letting this decision affect how we can continue to support our community, as Wilcox Newspapers reported:

In the aftermath of these devastating tornadoes, our priority has remained supporting the communities and residents impacted by this disaster. We will continue working with our local partners to support recovery efforts and ensure survivors have access to available resources.

The Monday following the storm, our community, through the radio station, was able to raise $20,000 for the victims of the tornadoes, which is $20,000 more than FEMA has assisted with.