Cass County officials announced on March 16 that further damage assessments will be conducted on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, in areas affected by the recent tornado. The effort is a collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies to evaluate the extent of storm-related damage.
The upcoming assessments follow severe storms and a tornado that struck southwest Michigan on March 6. Preliminary evaluations by local officials found significant damage to homes and businesses in Cass County and nearby regions. As a result, a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment has been launched to more thoroughly review impacts to private residences and businesses.
Assessment teams will include representatives from local jurisdictions, the State of Michigan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration, and township officials. These teams will travel through affected neighborhoods over two days to verify damages and collect information needed to determine if additional disaster assistance may be available.
Three assessment teams are scheduled to move between impacted jurisdictions during this period. Residents may notice officials conducting visual inspections from public rights-of-way or briefly approaching properties to document storm impacts. Homeowners are not required to take any action for these visits; assessment teams will not request personal financial information or require residents to fill out applications during their visits.
Officials expressed appreciation for residents’ patience and cooperation as these assessments proceed. The data collected will help determine what level of disaster assistance could support recovery efforts in affected communities.
Residents with questions about the process can contact Cass County Emergency Management at 269-445-1249 for more information.
