LANSING — To help address the effects of widespread flooding, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday expanded a state of emergency declaration to include Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, Alger, Baraga and Ontonagon counties.

Beginning April 11, the Upper Peninsula experienced widespread flooding due to melting of the snowpack caused by warming weather. On April 14, Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Gogebic and Houghton counties, citing road and bridge closures; damage to culverts, embankments and road surfaces; overwhelmed storm water and sewer systems; and deposits of silt and debris.

The same accelerated thaw has caused flooding in the six counties added Friday to the emergency declaration, Whitmer said. “State assistance is necessary to effectively respond to, and recover from, the impacts of this flooding,” she said.

Before a news conference Friday in Negaunee Township, Whitmer toured flooding over the Michigamme River with the Michigan State Police via helicopter.

“In order to unlock additional assistance, whether it is state assistance or federal, that’s where this recording of the depth of the severity and the damage is so important,” Whitmer said. “And that’s why this declaration gets that process started. Ultimately, the level of damage will open up different opportunities for us to pull resources in.”

Officials in the affected counties have activated local emergency response and recovery plans and used local resources to respond.

The National Weather Service said a flood warning continues for the Michigamme River near Witch Lake and Republic.

Elsewhere, continued snowmelt and rain runoff will cause water levels on rivers and streams and other low-lying areas to remain high, forecasters said.

State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, and state Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, provided a joint statement:

“We are grateful for the quick turnaround upon these local emergency declarations and needs,” they said. “The Michigan State Police has been working diligently to help all our local officials and citizens. Our offices are ready to provide any assistance and work for the support we will need to repair and rebuild after the water recedes.”

“I want to thank Gov. Whitmer for declaring this emergency and providing the support needed to repair these unexpected damages to our critical infrastructure,” said state Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette.

Dickinson County Road 577 in Vulcan reopened to through traffic Tuesday after being closed Sunday due to water over the road.

Closures on all state roads have been lifted across the U.P., including on M-28 east of Wakefield, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.