MIDLAND, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began assisting Michigan’s flood response in areas of Midland County late last week.
After significant flooding due to dam breaks, Governor Whitmer requested federal assistance for the disaster, as well as a request to declare an emergency for the area.
On May 21, President Donald Trump approved an Emergency Declaration for the state of Michigan, which authorizes FEMA – as the state identifies needs – to provide resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.
“FEMA staff have already been embedded in the state’s operations for more than two months supporting COVID-19 response efforts,” FEMA Region 5 Administrator James K. Joseph said. “We’re prepared now to do what it takes to further assist the state in their response to the devastating floods impacting individuals and communities throughout central Michigan.”
Following the President’s declaration, Administrator Joseph traveled to the state to meet with Governor Whitmer, state emergency management leadership, and elected officials to view the damage for the purposes of “ensuring a closely coordinated, federally supported and state managed response and recovery operation.”
As part of FEMA’s efforts, Joseph also met with U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI), along with U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (MI-04).
The group participated in an aerial survey of the damage, assessed damage in Sanford, met with local officials to discuss next steps.
“The destruction caused by these dam failures and catastrophic flooding was devastating to see – and it is only worsened by the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic,” Senator Peters said. “But one thing was also clear: this community is tough, it is resilient and we will get through this together. As Ranking Member of the Committee that oversees FEMA, I was pleased to join Administrator Joseph and my colleagues in surveying today’s damage. I will continue working with FEMA and supporting efforts to ensure we have the resources we need to clean-up, rebuild and emerge stronger.”
More information about this flooding disaster can be found online at www.fema.gov/disaster/3525 or by visiting www.michigan.gov/msp and searching for “Mid-Michigan Flooding.”
