Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at 4 p.m. today to respond to the ongoing water main break at the Great Lakes Water Authority’s (GLWA) Lake Huron Water Treatment facility, following multiple requests for additional resources from local communities. Prior to requesting the SEOC activation, the Emergency Operations Center at the local level had no unmet needs. The SEOC activation will ensure that all state resources are available to support the local communities, as necessary.
“Our top priority right now is protecting the public health and safety of Michigan residents until this water main is fixed as quickly as possible,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I have activated the State Emergency Operations Center to ensure that every possible resource is available to GLWA and the impacted communities to accomplish that goal. I’m grateful to all of the first responders, utility workers, leadership at the county and municipal levels, and everyone else who is working hard to make sure our neighbors have safe water. We will continue to work with local officials and are prepared to offer the full weight of state resources to get the job done.”
The water main break is impacting water pressure and GLWA has issued Boil Water Advisories for multiple communities. So far, the SEOC has received requests for bottled water and is working to fulfill those. Conditions and needs will continually be assessed, and appropriate action will be taken as warranted to protect public health and safety.
The SEOC is the Emergency Operations Center for the State of Michigan located in Lansing and is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD. The SEOC coordinates response and recovery efforts of state agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of state agencies for decision making and information coordination of disasters or emergencies in the State of Michigan.
