Mich. Gov. Whitmer Puts Forward Plan to Use $10 Million in Emergency Relief to Help Residents Recovering From June Flooding

LANSING, Michigan, July 31 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on July 29, 2021:

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a plan to utilize $10 million in state general funds to provide emergency relief to households impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding on June 25 and 26.

The funding will be allocated to the City of Detroit and Wayne and Washtenaw counties to set up residential gap funding grant programs to assist households not eligible for federal assistance or not provided adequate resources from FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration to return to their pre-disaster quality of life.

"Recognizing the hardships the flooding has placed on individuals and families that sustained damage to their homes and loss of personal property, we are working with Wayne and Washtenaw counties and the City of Detroit to ensure this funding is available to help residents as they recover from this disaster," said Governor Whitmer. "I appreciate the partnership with the counties and City of Detroit in putting together these programs to help get residents back on their feet."

The $10 million in general funds is part of a supplemental funding bill, signed by Governor Whitmer on July 26, to be used to assist areas of the state with restoration costs and other expenses resulting from weather-related events that occurred in June 2021.

On June 25 and 26, heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, damaging infrastructure and private property. On June 26, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Wayne County.

On July 8, Governor Whitmer added Washtenaw County to the state of emergency declaration. By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. On July 13, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden requesting that he declares an emergency disaster for the state of Michigan. On July 15, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration making federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties.

Additionally, Governor Whitmer requested over $50 million in federal assistance to repair damaged highways and purchase backup pump station generators.

Governor Whitmer remains committed to making long-term, lasting investments in Michigan's infrastructure. Under the MI Clean Water plan, a $500 million investment would assist local municipalities upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

On July 28, Governor Whitmer announced a shared commitment from finance industry groups to help Michiganders affected by the recent flooding in southeastern Michigan to stay in their homes and to afford necessary repairs.