FEMA downgrades western UP damage claims

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

In the wake of two spring snowstorms and a seasonal snow count unmet since the turn of the century, six counties in the western Upper Peninsula calculated more than $30 million in combined damages from rising waters that occurred from quickly melting snow.

However, recent visitors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency concluded that — by their formulas — the damage actually amounted to little more than $8 million.

The possible result is that the region then will not meet the $17.8 million threshold in damages that is required to qualify for FEMA r...