To numerous residents of Michigan, "up north" serves as a beloved getaway destination. The scenic beauty found in our northern regions provides landscapes that one might not typically associate with the Midwest.
But now, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has designated 22 of these counties as disaster areas. Following severe ice storms that felled trees and power lines, large parts of the state were left covered in ice.
If you're planning to go north anytime soon, you might want to reconsider since the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that all state-controlled trails across 12 northern counties in Michigan, along with portions of the eastern Upper Peninsula, will remain closed until further notice.
"The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, alongside the Michigan National Guard and partnering organizations, is striving to remove debris securely and ultimately reinstate safe accessibility; however, accomplishing this will require substantial time and effort," clarified the DNR in an official statement.
The DNR’s initiatives to tidy up the parks might also face postponement as they’re lending support to emergency teams in areas hit by the storms. This assistance involves supplying heavy machinery, skilled cutters, and equipment operators to aid in the recovery process.
Damage caused by the storm is widespread, with numerous trails becoming inaccessible and hazardous," stated Tim Novak, who serves as the state trails coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "A considerable amount of time will be required to evaluate and tackle the impacted regions. Additionally, several locations might have been further compromised by erosion and problems related to drainage systems due to the heavy rainfall.
Paige Perry, who serves as the DNR recreation trails specialist for the north-central Lower Peninsula, requested that those planning to use the trails adhere to the closure orders. This would enable first responders and their collaborators to securely evaluate damages, reinstate power supplies, and ultimately remove debris from the extensive multicounty trail network.
The destruction across the woodlands in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, home to our recreational paths, has been significant," Perry stated. "It'll require several weeks or even months for us to clean up this mess. We’ll provide more details once zones have been made accessible and these pathways can be safely used again. Until then, we encourage all individuals to discover the stunning tracks throughout Michigan instead of visiting the Tip of the Mitt area.
The Department of Natural Resources receives considerable help from numerous volunteers during routine cleanup operations as well. Individuals using the trails can informJessica Roehrs about major obstacles or signs of soil erosion by calling 517-331-3790. HolleyRoehrsJ@Michigan.gov .
The DNR mentioned that several state parks in our northern counties have been shut down as well, primarily for evaluating storm damage and conductingcleanup operations.
The Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to verify Michigan.gov/DNRClosures For the most recent updates and current closure information.
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