Barry County Emergency Management Department

07/10/2026

We had the pleasure of hosting the emergency response team this morning. With the recent issues in our amazing town of Hastings, this was really incredible to be behind the scenes. All these people are not only working diligently to keep us all safe they are taking the time to discuss what they learned and how to improve. Also thank you to the Barry community foundation for picking up the tab to feed everyone. It is great to see our community come together!

02/10/2026

🏠 A BIG DAY FOR TYDEN LOFTS! 🎉

We’re excited to share that all remaining apartments at Tyden Lofts are now cleared for resident re-entry! 💜

After weeks of assessment, decontamination, environmental sampling, and coordination, all required test samples have come back negative, and the building has been cleared for residents to return home.

This is an important milestone for Tyden Lofts residents and the entire Hastings community. We know this has been a long and difficult road, and we’re so grateful for the patience, strength, and cooperation residents have shown throughout this response.

This would not have been possible without an incredible network of partners working together to protect residents, complete the necessary remediation, and provide support along the way. From public safety and health agencies to community organizations, businesses, churches, healthcare providers, volunteers, and neighbors who provided meals, clothing, personal care items, pet supplies, emotional support, and so much more, this truly has been a community effort.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up for Tyden Lofts residents and the Hastings community when they needed it most.

Welcome home, Tyden Lofts residents! 💜

21/09/2026

We understand the frustration and concern for the Tyden Lofts residents who are still unable to return home. Being displaced for this length of time is incredibly difficult, and we know residents are facing very real challenges with housing, food, transportation, and other basic needs.

BEDHD continues to work directly with United Way, 211, Barry County, and other community partners to help connect affected residents with available resources. We recognize that resources are limited, and we are continuing to communicate with partners as additional options become available.

We are also continuing to communicate directly with Tyden Lofts residents. BEDHD sends a daily resident update through property management and has made phone calls directly to all residents. To make sure you receive these updates and other important information, please make sure property management has your current phone number and email address on file.

For privacy reasons, we cannot discuss individual residents or their specific circumstances publicly. We also want to make sure residents receive information that is accurate and specific to their situation, rather than directing them to resources that may not currently have capacity.

If you are a Tyden Lofts resident who is still displaced and need assistance, please contact the Tyden resident hotline at 269-798-4111 or email [email protected] so we can help connect you with the appropriate resources. This resource is for Tyden Lofts residents only.

If you are a community organization, landlord, hotel, business or individual with a specific resource you can offer, please contact the United Way at 269-945-4010 so they can help coordinate available assistance.

We appreciate the community members who are advocating for their neighbors and looking for ways to help. 💙

EDIT: A note about receipts and renters insurance: We are aware of questions circulating about receipts for expenses incurred while residents are displaced. Residents who have renters insurance should keep receipts for eligible expenses and contact their insurance provider to ask about reimbursement under their policy. BEDHD is not reimbursing residents for these expenses. Keeping receipts does not guarantee reimbursement, as coverage and eligibility are determined by each insurance policy.

18/09/2026

15/09/2026

UPDATE: Tyden Lofts Response

Re-entry at Tyden Lofts is moving forward in phases as response teams continue to evaluate the building.

Yesterday, residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors were notified that they may return to their apartments. Today, some 1st-floor residents have also been notified that they may return home.

Response teams are continuing work on the remaining areas of the 1st floor, and residents will receive additional information as their areas are cleared.

We know this has been a difficult and stressful situation, and we appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation as we continue working to safely return people to their homes.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Stay informed: Follow the BEDHD page for the latest updates.

15/09/2026

UPDATE: Tyden Lofts Response

Re-entry at Tyden Lofts is moving forward in phases as response teams continue to evaluate the building.

Residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors have been notified that they may return to their apartments.

1st-floor residents have been given an update and are not yet cleared to return home. Response teams are continuing work on the 1st floor, and residents will receive additional information as their areas are cleared.

We know this has been a difficult and stressful situation, and we appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation as we continue working to safely return people to their homes.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Stay informed: Follow the BEDHD page for the latest updates.

13/09/2026

What Hastings Residents Need to Know About Ricin:

No quarantine is needed. Impacted Tyden Lofts residents were directed to leave the apartment complex. Other Hastings residents do not need to quarantine.

There is no known or suspected ricin exposure elsewhere in the city at this time. The current concern is limited to Tyden Lofts residents and impacted first responders. Ongoing environmental testing may change our understanding of exposure risk.

Residents and first responders who may have been impacted were contacted and offered urine testing. Those with potential exposure were also given information about symptoms and encouraged to seek emergency medical care if symptoms develop.

First responders and hospital providers took precautions and used personal protective equipment. Materials that potentially had ricin on them are being safely disposed of, and environmental testing will be completed before residents are allowed to return.

Stay informed: Follow the BEDHD page for the latest updates.

13/09/2026

UPDATE: BEDHD Provides Update Following Confirmed Ricin Exposure at Tyden Lofts

The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) has released an updated statement regarding the confirmed presence of ricin at Tyden Lofts in Hastings.

Response teams have now moved into the environmental sampling phase at Tyden Lofts, an important step in determining whether additional cleanup or other actions are needed and moving closer to allowing residents to safely return to their homes.

The health and well-being of pets remaining in the building also remains a priority. Response partners are working to safely retrieve the remaining pets as conditions allow.

Residents should not enter or re-enter Tyden Lofts until they are told it is safe to do so.

BEDHD will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

👉 Read the full update: https://barryeatonhealth.org/ricin-2026-update/

12/09/2026

UPDATE: What to Know About the Suspected Ricin Exposure at Tyden Lofts

Officials are continuing to respond to a suspected ricin exposure at Tyden Lofts in Hastings. Residents were evacuated, and the Barry-Eaton District Health Department has ordered that residents, employees, contractors, visitors and other persons not enter or re-enter the Tyden Lofts buildings at this time.

We understand that this situation may be concerning. Health officials are working with local, state and federal partners to assess the situation, provide information for residents who are concerned about possible exposure and share updates with the public.

The health and well-being of pets remaining in the building has been a priority for us from the beginning of this response. As officials are able to safely access the building, the remaining pets are being provided with food and water.

If you have questions or concerns about ricin or possible exposure, please call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Hotline at 1-800-648-6942.

Please review the flyer below for information about ricin, possible symptoms and what to do if you are concerned about exposure.

We appreciate the community's patience and cooperation as we continue working to protect the health and safety of our community.

11/09/2026

Officials Responding to Suspected Ricin Exposure in Hastings September 11, 2026 HASTINGS, MI - On September 10, 2026, Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) received information about a potential ricin exposure at Tyden Lofts in Hastings, MI, and at the Corewell Health Pennock Hospital Emerg...