Congressman Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, is encouraging residents in northern Michigan to participate in the upcoming assessment that will be conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

On Thursday, FEMA announced it would begin assessments in 12 counties in the 1st Congressional District that were affected by the historic ice storm.

In order to meet the thresholds required by FEMA for Public Assistance, and the even more stringent thresholds for Individual Assistance, Bergman encouraged all counties affected by the storm to assist in these assessments set to begin next week.

“Our communities are resilient and have worked tirelessly to recover from the ice storm. For us to have a chance at securing Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, we need to take an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Bergman said in a press release. “I encourage our leaders in all 12 counties to support this effort as we work together to secure help for our communities.”

On April 11, the State of Michigan requested joint Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments in response to damages from the severe ice storm that began on March 28. The state specifically requested assessments in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle Counties, though more counties could be added later at the state’s request.

It is expected that assessments of Individual Assistance will begin on Monday and assessments for Public Assistance to begin on April 28. Assessment will be ongoing for as long as needed until complete.