Gov. Whitmer: Check on your neighbors during dangerous cold

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging Michigan residents to check on any vulnerable neighbors during this dangerously cold weather.

Whitmer has declared a State of Emergency because of the extreme cold and dangerously low wind chills across the state. During an update Wednesday morning from the State Emergency Operations Center, the governor said she met with leaders of the Michigan State Police and other state departments to make sure needs are being met.

"Stay inside if you can," said Whitmer in a Twitter post. "Check on vulnerable neighbors. Try to make sure that if you see someone in need that you try to take action and connect them with 211."

The U.S. Postal Service suspended mail deliveries Wednesday in Michigan. Universities and schools canceled classes across the state, with some closures lasting through Thursday. Some businesses and local offices are closed, along with all state government offices.

In Upper Michigan, the extreme cold is mixed with snow. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for Keweenaw, northern Houghton, Ontonagon and Gogebic counties and a Blizzard Warning is in effect for Alger and northern Schoolcraft counties.