On March 28, and, in some areas, lasting through March 30, the 2025 Northern Michigan Ice Storm that hit northern Michigan caused substantial damage. By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated areas. Those areas include a 12-county disaster area encompassing Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.
The storm caused significant damage to farms and agribusinesses. For example, the storm caused damage to northern Michigan's maple syrup producers, impacting trees and operations with approximately 200,000 taps lost and an estimated $3.5 million in bulk syrup lost sales.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers Disaster Assistance Programs that can provide assistance with property damage with respect to livestock forage grounds and areas and other damage to farmlands.
In addition, the FSA offers assistance to owners of nonindustrial private forest lands through the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
