Michigan, Federal Investigators View Flood Damage, Weigh Aid Request
By Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"It was like a river coming through,"
On a table outside Picard's house lay family photos, keepsakes and financial papers drying in the sun. In the frame house where she's lived for 55 years and where she and her husband raised two children, "it's just chaos," Picard said with a laugh. Her niece and a family friend worked to clean and repair the damage that insurance adjusters told her they will pay not a cent to cover, Picard said.
On Wednesday, six teams of damage-assessment experts are to fan out across metro
"We only come after being requested," Jasmund said. "We got the request (from state officials) last Friday," she said.
Gov.
"Photograph your losses and keep all receipts" of payments for repairs and replacement items, Snyder's statement advised.
The teams viewing the damage and talking with victims include state, federal, county and local disaster officials, and some have representatives of the
Flood victims who don't encounter the investigators shouldn't worry that they are being overlooked, Shaw said.
"All three counties (
He said the
Serious flooding and backups of sewage-laced rainwater were reported in more than a dozen communities. About a third of the properties in
Both wanted details on the damage, said Gillham, who had 2 feet of water in his basement. Stabenow "was very sympathetic, but she said the aid has to go through
Most federal aid is expected to go toward repairing bridges, roads and other infrastructure, county and local officials have said. That's not welcome news for homeowners, some of whom lost furnaces, water heaters, washers and dryers, basement furniture, stereo systems, artwork and racks of clothing.
Thanks to a flock of relatives who helped the Picards quickly remove most of their wet, soiled furnishings, their house has been habitable. But nearby, one neighbor is living in a borrowed recreational vehicle, another has camped in a tent, while
After water rose inside the house more than three feet, a building inspector from
"You can't live there -- mold is growing up the walls, two inches a day," Dragoi said.
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