First Emergency Since COVID Declared in Genesee County

Genesee County is officially under a state of emergency for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the deadly attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on McCandlish Road, Grand Blanc Township leaders declared a local emergency. On September 29, 2025, Genesee County Board Chair Delrico J. Loyd expanded that order into a county-wide state of emergency.

Under Michigan law, these declarations aren’t just symbolic. They activate emergency operations plans, authorize the deployment of additional aid and resources, and allow local officials to request support from the state and federal levels. In the case of Grand Blanc Township, the move ensures resources can reach victims, families, and organizations impacted by the tragedy more quickly.

Genesee County Under Emergency for First Time Since COVID-19

This is the first time Genesee County has been under such an order since March 2020, when Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a statewide emergency in response to COVID-19. That declaration applied to every Michigan county, including Genesee, and drastically reshaped daily life.

Past Emergencies: Flint, Floods, and COVID

Before the pandemic, the most significant series of emergency declarations came during the Flint water crisis between 2015 and 2016. The response began locally with Flint and Genesee County officials, then escalated to Governor Rick Snyder at the state level, and eventually reached President Barack Obama, who issued a federal emergency declaration. That layered response illustrated just how serious the water crisis had become.

Get our free mobile app

Genesee County also saw a state-level declaration in 2012, when flooding from powerful storms led Governor Snyder to issue an emergency order to help with recovery.

Resources Activated to Aid Grand Blanc Community

Now, in 2025, the focus is once again on recovery and coordination following a devastating act of violence. County officials say the declaration ensures every available tool can be used to help a grieving community heal.

5 Things To Do In Michigan This Fall

Gallery Credit: TSM Lab

The Most Beautiful Places In Michigan For Fall Foliage

Images showcasing the fall beauty that exists in the state of Michigan

Gallery Credit: Da'Jzon Hughes

30+ Photos That Show Why Fall in Michigan is Unmatched

Fall in the Mitten State is glorious time. There's apple picking, pumpkin carving, hayrides, all the animals you'll spot like deer and migratory birds—and of course the stunning fall colors.

The Upper Peninsula is often mentioned in national rankings as one of the most beautiful spots for fall foliage in the country, but truly, Autumn beauty abounds across the entire state.

Sure, we'd all love take a few hours and go on a scenic drive (or head to a fall chairlift ride) but sometimes you just can't getaway. Here are more than 30 photos of fall around Michigan for those times when you're stuck inside. Spot anywhere you've been?

Gallery Credit: Janna