LANSING, Michigan, Sept. 7 -- Gov. Rick Snyder, R-Michigan, issued the following news release:

The state of Michigan will help share the cost of providing matching funds for federal disaster relief to communities in the Upper Peninsula affected by the severe flooding that occurred in Gogebic, Houghton and Menominee counties in June.

Gov. Rick Snyder has authorized the state to match approximately $3.7 million of the 25 percent of matching funds local grant recipients are required to pay under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) public assistance program.

A preliminary damage assessment conducted in June determined that public agencies in the three counties sustained more than $29.8 million in damages eligible for public assistance relief. State and local grant recipients are responsible for matching 25 percent, or approximately $7.4 million, in federal funds in order to receive the maximum amount of relief available.

"Given the sensitive financial situation facing the Upper Peninsula communities affected by this disaster, I have authorized the state to step in and provide a match of $3.7 million toward the cost local public agencies must cover to receive public assistance," Snyder said. "We remain committed to ensuring both public facilities and individual homeowners and businesses get the resources and assistance they need to recover from this disaster."

FEMA and the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will begin developing recovery projects in the three counties affected by the floods.

On Wednesday, Gov. Snyder announced he would seek a physical and economic disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after FEMA denied the governor's appeal for individual assistance to the three counties.

Presidential Disaster Declaration Timeline

Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster for Houghton and Menominee counties on June 18, and added Gogebic County to the declaration on June 21, due to severe weather and widespread flooding, making available state aid and assistance to communities in the disaster area.

By declaring a "state of disaster," the state of Michigan made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the disaster area, as outlined in the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.

Based on information provided by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, state leaders requested a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) with federal and local leaders to review and validate the most severely damaged homes, businesses and public facilities across the affected counties.

The teams conducted their assessments from June 26-29. State officials assessed the results and determined the extent of damage reached the level for receiving federal assistance.

On July 9, Lt. Gov. Calley requested that President Trump declare a major disaster as a result of the flooding damage in Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties, which included a request for public and individual assistance from FEMA.

President Trump declared a major disaster for Gogebic, Houghton and Menominee counties on Aug. 3, 2018.

On Aug. 6, FEMA denied the request for individual assistance.

On Aug. 14, Gov. Snyder sent a letter appealing the denial. On Aug. 27, FEMA denied the appeal.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed September as Life Insurance Awareness Month in Tennessee.

To support this proclamation, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) highlights the importance of life insurance coverage, which can help families protect their futures and ease financial burdens after a loved one's death.

"Life insurance is a critical insurance product, and our entire team fully supports Governor Lee's proclamation, which should remind all Tennesseans to assess their families' financial needs," said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. "During Life Insurance Awareness Month, I encourage consumers to evaluate their current benefits, seek advice from qualified insurance professionals, and take the actions necessary to achieve a financially secure future for their loved ones."

Consumers who need help locating a loved one's life insurance policy can use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Life Insurance Policy Locator Service, a free tool, to determine if an individual is a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

In 2025, the service helped locate over $107 million in benefits for Tennesseans.

"Life insurance policies are intended to help cover financial burdens, such as medical bills, funeral costs, and other financial obligations that can occur after losing a loved one," said TDCI Assistant Commissioner for Insurance Scott McAnally. "I encourage consumers who have questions about whether they are beneficiaries of a policy to file a search request."

For more details about the locator service, visit the NAIC's website or contact our team at 1-800-342-4029 or (615) 741-2218.

Things all life insurance policyholders should know

Life insurance policies can be taken out by anyone who can prove they have an insurable interest in the person — that is, a financial interest in the insured person's life. If you have a life insurance policy, your responsibility does not stop with the paperwork. As a policyholder, there are important steps you should take now, and in the future, to help your loved ones:

Have you had a life-changing event, such as the birth of a child or a divorce? It is important to update your policies after a major life event to make sure that you have the appropriate beneficiaries listed.

Check your policies once a year to make sure that all beneficiaries are included and that the contact information for those listed beneficiaries is correct.

Let your beneficiaries know about the policies. Good communication can save everyone time and reduce confusion in the long run.

Provide beneficiaries or trusted advisors (such as accountants and attorneys) with the name of the life insurance company holding the policy.

Place a current copy of the policy with your will or other estate paperwork in a safe place where family and beneficiaries will be able to easily find it.

An insurance company has 60 days to pay a death claim to beneficiaries. If a claim is not paid within 15 days of the date of death, the company must also pay interest. There is a grace period of 30 days for missed payments in Tennessee. If you miss a payment, you will be covered for 30 days even if the missed payment is not made up.