LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a major disaster declaration for the mid-Michigan flooding that hit Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Midland and Saginaw counties.
“Last month’s flooding and dam failures upended the lives of thousands of Michigan families and business owners at a time when we were just beginning to reopen our economy following weeks of working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Whitmer said. “This natural disaster, coupled with a global health pandemic, has created enormous stress and emotional trauma for these residents, and they need the federal government’s help to begin rebuilding their lives.”
When the flooding happened, Whitmer declared a state of emergency for those counties affected by the dam failures and was approved to get aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a cleanup effort.
According to the governor's office, the flooding resulted in more than $190 million in losses for residents and over $42 million in damages to buildings and infrastructure.
“This 500-year disaster has impacted everyone from homeowners and renters to businesses and farmers throughout mid-Michigan, and I urge the federal government to provide the resources necessary to ensure they don’t suffer financial hardships for years as they attempt to repair and restore their damaged homes and businesses,” Whitmer said. “We will get through this together and will emerge stronger on the other side.”
You can read the letter to Trump below.
Whitmer writes letter to Trump requesting federal disaster declaration over flooding by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
