Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan National Guard respond to ‘apocalyptic’ conditions
EMMET COUNTY — As power outages persist in Northern Michigan, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is working non-stop to provide support for people in the area.
Emmet County Sheriff Matt Leirstein said the department has spent the last few days working to help keep roads cleared.
“One of my sergeants described it to me as ‘apocalyptic.’ Some of these roads, you don’t even know you’re on a road — it’s just trees everywhere,” Leirstein said. “It’s been a daunting task to keep these roadways clear of trees and debris and making sure our partners in EMS and the fire department have access to people that are in need.”
A damaged tree is seen near Petoskey on Monday, March 31, 2025.
More: Live: Power slowly returning across Northern Michigan following ice storm
He told the News-Review on Tuesday that it feels like they’ll clear out a tree, and three more will fall in its place.
“We are literally running 24/7,” Leirstein said. “It’s been a tall task, but it’s been going as well as can be expected. We’re quite literally weathering each storm as it comes.”
Damaged trees are seen in the Bear River Recreation Area in Petoskey on Monday, March 31, 2025.
Currently, the sheriff’s office is working with county administrators and commissioners to ensure the people of the county are taken care of. The department has been working with other agencies to go door-to-door and check on residents. Leirstein said it will take time to get to everyone, especially those in the northern part of Emmet County, because trees continue to block back roads.
Leristein wants to remind people that the sheriff’s office is there for them, and will do everything in their power to bring support.
Following a major ice storm in Northern Michigan, various organizations have been working to clear roadways from fallen trees and debris.
“If they need us, if they need help, we are here,” he said. “If you just need to charge your phone, or they need some water, or they need an extra blanket, we are here for them. We will come to you and deliver it.”
Leirstein said serving the entire area may take some time because some roads are still impassable, but deputies are traveling with chainsaws so they can clear roads and get to where they need to go.
The statue of Ernest Hemingway is seen dripping with icicles on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Petoskey.
More: PHOTOS: Ice storm aftermath in Northern Michigan
More: Another storm set to hit Northern Michigan as ice storm recovery efforts continue
While power is starting to slowly return to the region, another storm on Wednesday could bring more damage and outages. Leirstein reminded residents that if traffic lights are out, they should be treated as four-way stops.
“Be kind, courteous to one another,” he said. “We’re all dealing with the same situations here. You’re not going to get anywhere faster by disregarding that and driving into an intersection and possibly causing an accident.”
According to a Wednesday press release from Mike Keiser, assistant county administrator, the warming centers in the region are remaining open, even as power is restored in some areas.
Warming shelters are operational at the Odawa Casino, Pellston Regional Airport, Resort Township Hall, Bear Creek Township Hall, Petoskey City Hall, Shay Elementary School, Church of the Straits and Littlefield Township Hall. Odawa Casino and Shay Elementary School are both equipped with devices necessary for residents that rely on oxygen concentrators.
Following a major ice storm in Northern Michigan, various organizations have been working to clear roadways from fallen trees and debris.
Additionally, the county is warning that Wednesday’s storm is bringing a winter weather advisory to the area, and additional snow and ice accumulation may occur.
Due to the dangerous road conditions, the Emmet County Emergency Operations Center is encouraging people to continue sheltering in place. People who need a ride to warming centers can call the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office at (231) 348-1782, the Petoskey Department of Public Safety at (231) 330-0219 or the non-emergency citizen request line at (231) 348-1704.
While pets are not able to go to the warming centers, people can lodge their animals at the Bay Area Pet Resort, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Additionally, Chippewa County’s Kerry O’Connor is offering to help facilitate transport, and can be reached at (906) 440-7009.
The Little Traverse Bay Humane Society also said they will offer help when possible, and can be contacted at (231) 347-2396.
The clean-up begins for downed branches and damaged trees in Pennsylvania Park in downtown Petoskey on Monday, March 31, 2025 following the weekend’s ice storms.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency following the ice storms, which applies to Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac, Alpena, Alcona and Antrim counties.
On Tuesday, she also deployed the National Guard to provide more personnel and specialized equipment to help with storm recovery efforts.
A Harbor Springs street is lined with trees holding on with all they’ve got as ice weighs down the branches on Tuesday, April 1.
The Michigan National Guard deployed two teams with specialized skills, according to a Tuesday release from Whitmer’s office. The teams are working to help clear roadways and areas “overcome by debris.”
To ensure resources like gasoline, distillate and propane can get to the affected counties, the state of emergency order temporarily suspends restrictions on commercial drivers’ hours to allow for the immediate delivery of energy. Additionally, all state and local seasonal load restrictions are suspended for commercial vehicles for the delivery of necessary fuel and equipment to aid the area.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, national guard working to clear storm debris
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