Residents should submit flood damage claims to cities, townships, Wayne County says

Detroit Free Press (MI)

As residents deal with the aftermath of weekend rainfall that flooded roads and homes, Wayne County says people should submit damage claims to their respective cities and townships.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Wayne County, which makes state resources available. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is not involved yet, however the agency is monitoring the situation, according to Wayne County.

More: Detroiters devastated by flooding: 'Certain things you can't replace'

More: NWS confirms 3 tornadoes in Michigan following severe storms

"Residents who have flood damage should contact their local city or township. Those local official have details on what residents need to do to document the damage," Bill Nowling, a Wayne County spokesperson, said in an email Monday morning.

The federal government must first declare an emergency before FEMA will get involved, Nowling said. It's unclear, as of now, if the county will receive federal help, he added.

In the meantime, people should submit damage claims. The state must compile a damage assessment to the federal government. That will be part of what FEMA uses to gauge its response.

"We'll collect the data, and then will complete an assessment of damage, countywide, and then FEMA will make a determination of what type — if any — assistance they're going to offer," Tiffani Jackson, another spokesperson for Wayne County, said on Monday morning.

If residents have trouble reaching a restoration company to get a damage estimate, they should contact their municipalities.

The county has asked local officials to submit an assessment of damage by July 6. That deadline is not for residents, the county said. Cities and townships will determine a timeline for when residents should submit claims.

The damage assessment will determine whether FEMA will come in with disaster relief, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, told the Free Press Monday.

"That's why everybody's got a responsibility right now to make sure we're getting the facts," she said. People should be taking pictures inside and outside of their homes, she added.

Residents are encouraged to call the United Way's 211 service or go to mi211.org for resources or assistance.

Here's how to file damage claims in some Wayne County communities:

Detroit residents who have water damage from the flooding can complete an online form at detroitmi.gov/waterdamageclaims to begin the damage claim process. This begins the damage claims process and a representative is expected to contact people in the near future to get more information on their claim, including supporting documents, according to the city. People can also download the form, fill it out and mail it to 735 Randolph, Suite 901, Detroit, MI 48226. Residents can call 313-267-8000 to report damage.

Detroiters should take photos, save cleanup cost receipts and proof of purchase of large items, said Gary Brown, director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, during a citywide virtual meeting Monday evening for residents. The call garnered more than 450 attendees. If people can't find a receipt, then they should document damages with pictures, Brown said.

If residents have insurance, they should call their insurance company immediately. The city is seeking a presidential designation of a federal disaster that will allow FEMA reimbursement.

People must fill out the form for claims by Aug. 10 to initiate the process, but people can add further documentation after then, Brown said.

On Sunday, Dearborn officials were going door to door to get an initial assessment of damage. Residents who were affected by the flooding and who were not visited during this preliminary assessment should file a report by calling 313-943-3030, according to the city of Dearborn. They can also fill out a form online at bit.ly/3x34LNE.

Karen Majewski, the mayor of Hamtramck, said to "document everything" by taking photos, videos and keeping a list, during a Monday morning video update to residents.

"For Hamtramck right now, we're just asking that you document your losses and that you hang onto that information," she said.

Grosse Pointe Park residents can visit bit.ly/3dlg7Vk to fill out a damage assessment form and return it to the City of Grosse Pointe Park at 15115 Jefferson, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. The form is to collect information and is not a way to get reimbursement or financial help, according to the city's website.

Highland Park on Saturday declared a state of emergency for the city. The city is directing residents to complete an online form, available at bit.ly/3dnqIit, put together by the office of Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit, to collect information on damages.

Residents who want to file a claim for flood damage can call the city's risk management office at 586-446-2335.

Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility for the Detroit Free Press and Bridge Detroit as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA.

Contact Nushrat: [email protected]; 313-348-7558. Follow her on Twitter: @NushratR. Sign up for Bridge Detroit's newsletter. Become a Free Press subscriber.