DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — When Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs paperwork Friday to declare a state of emergency in Wayne County, additional aid will become available to the victims of this week’s widespread flooding.
It authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts beyond what’s being done already — the county announced earlier this week its own state of emergency. At the time, Wayne County officials estimated 3,000 homes sustained major damage as the result of devastating rain.
The state and county aren’t alone — other groups have already begun rushing into affected areas to offer a helping hand. Here’s some of the aid that’s available.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The Red Cross began distributing cleanup kits for residents affected by flooding on Thursday. They’ll return to the Richard A Young Center on Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to continue the work.
Case workers will be on-hand to discuss recovery planning.
If you plan on heading to the American Red Cross to reach out for help, make sure you bring a form of identification that shows your current address so they can cross-reference it with flooding locations.
DISASTER RELIEF AT WORK (DRAW)
Workers from Disaster Relief at Work began handing out buckets full of flooding supplies on Thursday afternoon in the Dearborn Heights neighborhood.
They have teams that will be returning to the area to offer up manpower to work on cleaning out debris left behind in flooded basements and first floors from Wednesday’s flooding.
Donations are being made through their website.
LEON’S FAMILY DINING
The restaurant is offering free meals on Friday to locals affected by the flooding.
The do request that people looking to get a free meal bring something in writing from the police department that states they were impacted by the flooding.
The offer began on Thursday, Friday is the final day for getting a free meal, there is no restriction on the time: breakfast, lunch or dinner.
GFL TRASH PICKUP
Both Lincoln Park and Dearborn Heights have announced a partnership with GFL Environmental USA that will allow locals to bring trash to the curb for pickup on Saturday morning.
Pickup will happen on Saturday from Colgate to Van Born, Inkster to Southfiled in Dearborn Heights — trash pickup will continue, but the flood damage items won’t be picked up on the regular trash days.
Lincoln Park’s city government reminded locals that GFL can also take flood damaged materials to the DPS Facility at 500 Southfield Road between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. That’s in addition to the Saturday pickup.
ART VAN
Art Van Furniture is offering a special discount to metro Detroit residents hit hard by flooding.
The company will extend its employee family purchase pricing to flood victims through the Art Van and Mattress Emergency Flood Relief program.
