Washtenaw County Declares State of Emergency in response to widespread and severe flooding
Last Thursday, the Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency in response to the widespread and severe flooding of numerous homes throughout the county caused by several days of heavy rainfall. Stormwater and sewer systems have been overwhelmed, which has also resulted in damage to streets, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure. 听
The Chair of the Board also submitted a letter to Governor Whitmer requesting that she declare a State of Disaster or State of Emergency to broaden the response beyond Washtenaw County emergency operations. Specifically, Chair Sue Shink听requested assistance in the form of financial support for individuals to clean,听remove, and听restore听damaged property,听as well as听resources to provide听temporary shelter for those displaced from their homes.听听
听鈥淢any of听our听residents听do not have the flood insurance necessary to cover听everything they have lost this past week.听If we don鈥檛 act听quickly听and听decisively听to fully听support them, they will be left听holding the bag for thousands of dollars of needed听repairs,鈥 said听Caroline Sanders,听Washtenaw County听Commissioner for District 4. 鈥淲e听must听work with the state and other听partners听to provide the resources and support necessary to help these families听begin to听recover.鈥听
If you have suffered damage due to the recent flooding, you are encouraged to self-report the damage using this form: 听
路听听听听听听听听听Call 211 –听 For non-emergencies related to flooding in-home and damage items. Residents who have experienced flooding in their homes are encouraged to keep a detailed account of damaged items听by taking photos听of them.听
路听听听听听听听听听Call 911 –听 emergency calls only to the Washtenaw County Sheriff office.听
鈥淥ur first and primary goal during any disaster response is to ensure that everyone involved is safe and sheltered.鈥 said Washtenaw County Administrator Gregory Dill. 鈥淭he County emergency response team听will continue to monitor the situation听and provide updates to residents听as听we have them.鈥听
The Washtenaw County Health Department provides safety tips听and instructions for clean up in the event of household flooding on their website:听听
The State of Emergency was effective upon being declared. Washtenaw County officials remind residents not attempt to drive on roads with standing water or traverse areas with damaged sidewalks. 听
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