July 25, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder has opened the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to provide financial assistance to Bay, Isabella, Gladwin and Midland counties after severe flooding caused significant and widespread damages on June 22-23.
“I commend the first responders and agencies throughout Bay, Isabella, Gladwin and Midland counties for their dedication to ensuring the health and safety of the residents who were affected by this incident,” Snyder said. “While great progress has been made, many of the counties’ resources have been depleted. Money from this fund will help cover some of the costs incurred while responding to and recovering from this disaster.”
Eligible local governments affected by the flooding can apply for assistance grants for up to $100,000 or 10 percent of the previous year’s operating budget, whichever is less.
The Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund is used when communities demonstrate an exhaustion of local resources during a disaster or emergency. The money can be applied toward the immediate prevention, response and recovery of a disaster or emergency, as well as cover overtime for public employees, contracts used during the response, shelter supplies, gasoline used during the response and repair of public buildings and infrastructure.
Under extraordinary circumstances, the governor may authorize reimbursement from the fund to provide state assistance to counties and municipalities when federal assistance is not available.
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will administer the grant program and assist local governments with applying for the funds.
On July 21, Gov. Snyder requested that President Donald Trump declare a major disaster for the state of Michigan as a result of the flash flooding that occurred in Bay, Isabella, Gladwin and Midland counties.
Due to the severity and magnitude of the incident, Gov. Snyder requested supplementary federal aid to help Michigan residents in recovery efforts. The request did not include assistance for costs incurred by state and local governments due to uninsured damage to public facilities and infrastructures, as those costs did not meet the federal threshold for assistance. The request came at the conclusion of an in-depth assessment of damage to the area.
Lt. Gov. Calley declared a “state of disaster” for Isabella and Midland counties on June 23. On June 28, Gov. Rick Snyder instructed the Michigan State Police to amend the “state of disaster” declaration to include two additional counties in mid-Michigan after severe weather and intense rain struck the counties resulting in widespread flooding damage. Along with Isabella and Midland counties, the amended disaster declaration included Bay and Gladwin counties.
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