Devastating Ice Storm Hits Otsego County
Over the last few days, destructive and catastrophic ice storms have swept across Northern Michigan, leaving approximately 90% of Otsego County residents without power. A state of emergency has been declared by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Residents are facing rapidly declining gas and food reserves, emergency workers don’t have places to sleep, and there is no end insight to these dangerous conditions. Access to Gaylord and surrounding towns has been impacted by downed power lines across I-75 and temporary freeway closure. Many roads remain impassable. Conditions are dire and widespread.
Thank you to those who have asked “How can I help?” We are working closely with our local nonprofit partners that provide immediate relief to Otsego County residents such as shelter, food, oxygen, and fuel. We have been here before. From our experience responding to the tornado of 2022,we anticipate that in the next few days, there will be many volunteer opportunities, including manual labor clean up, feeding folks, donating supplies, etc. In the meantime, you can help by donating to the Disaster Response Fund of the Otsego Community Foundation. OCF’s role in recovery is to manage the Disaster Response Fund and provide community resources to our local nonprofit partners who are providing the services needed in recovery.
This Fund is a centralized opportunity for donors to contribute to disaster response efforts. YOUR gift will be used to award grants to local organizations assisting with immediate relief as well as short-term recovery, and long-term rebuilding in the future. Your donation will go where it is needed most in Otsego County now and for weeks and months to come as the community recovers.
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