Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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August 27, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2021
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for Macomb and Oakland Counties Due to June Flooding and Severe Weather
LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today requested that President Joe Biden add Macomb and Oakland counties to the presidential disaster declaration issued for Wayne and Washtenaw counties following heavy rainfall and flooding in late June.
"As we continue to assess the widespread impact these storms had on our communities, we are working with our local and federal partners to ensure that all resources are available to help our residents as they recover," said Governor Whitmer. "A presidential declaration for these additional counties will unlock even greater resources to help residents who suffered loss of personal property and untold damage to their homes."
The request follows the completion of a joint preliminary damage assessment with federal and local officials to review and validate the most severely damaged homes across Macomb and Oakland counties.
If added to the federal declaration, households affected by the flooding in Macomb and Oakland counties would be eligible to apply for assistance to include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and businesses recover.
Governor Whitmer has also requested federal assistance for Ionia, Washtenaw and Wayne counties and the City of Detroit for costs incurred by state and local governments due to damage to public facilities.
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, Huron and Ionia counties were added to the state declaration due to tornado damage, and Washtenaw County due to widespread flooding. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor 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 declare an emergency disaster for the state of Michigan. On July 15, President Biden issued a disaster declaration allowing individual assistance for Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
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