Michigan Delegation Pushes for Emergency Disaster Declaration

Today, a bipartisan group of thirteen members of the Michigan congressional delegation wrote to President Obama urging support of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's request for a Presidential disaster declaration, following flash floods caused by record rainfall in early August.

The letter, signed by Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI12), John Conyers (D-MI13), Sander Levin (D-MI09), Fred Upton (R-MI06), Dave Camp (R-MI04), Mike Rogers (R-MI08), Candice Miller (R-MI10), Gary Peters (D-MI14), Tim Walberg (R-MI07), Bill Huizenga (R-MI02), and Dan Kildee (D-MI05), details much of the damage caused by flash flooding in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

"Record one-day totals of rainfall - four to six inches in less than four hours in some locations - flooded Metro Detroit and caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, public buildings and infrastructure," the group wrote in the letter. "Treacherous conditions, sedimentation and high water levels severely impacted highways and local roadways. In fact, water levels rose as high as 12 feet in some sections of our highways, which were closed for days while crews removed flooded cars, sediment and water. The flooding also slowed manufacturing, a vital part of Michigan's economy, and closed small businesses as a result of transportation disruptions and damage."

The state of Michigan estimates more than $1.1 billion in total residential and commercial flood damage in the three affected counties, requiring recovery beyond the capacity of state and local governments, according to the delegation.

A copy of the letter can be found here, and full text can be found below:

September 18, 2014

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing in full support of Governor Rick Snyder's request on September 17, 2014 for a Presidential disaster declaration for the State of Michigan as a result of severe flash flooding that struck the counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb in metropolitan Detroit. Nearly four million of our State's residents reside in these three counties.

Record one-day totals of rainfall - four to six inches in less than four hours in some locations - flooded Metro Detroit and caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, public buildings and infrastructure. Treacherous conditions, sedimentation and high water levels severely impacted highways and local roadways. In fact, water levels rose as high as 12 feet in some sections of our highways, which were closed for days while crews removed flooded cars, sediment and water. The flooding also slowed manufacturing, a vital part of Michigan's economy, and closed small businesses as a result of transportation disruptions and damage.

The Governor declared a state of emergency on August 13, 2014, allowing state resources to assist with the recovery. However, with severe damage of this magnitude, and as described in the Governor's request, effective recovery is beyond the capacity of state and local governments.

The State of Michigan reports estimates that total residential and commercial flood damage in the three-county area exceeded $1.1 billion. In addition, across the three-county area, damage surveys indicated that less than 20 percent of flood-damaged homes were covered by flood insurance and sewer back-up insurance.

We urge you to make a federal disaster declaration and provide the requested assistance so that communities across Southeast Michigan can rebuild. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

Debbie Stabenow
U.S. Senator

Carl Levin
U.S. Senator

John D. Dingell
Member of Congress

John Conyers
Member of Congress

Sander Levin
Member of Congress

Fred Upton
Member of Congress

Dave Camp
Member of Congress

Mike Rogers
Member of Congress

Candice Miller
Member of Congress

Gary Peters
Member of Congress

Tim Walberg
Member of Congress

Bill Huizenga
Member of Congress

Dan Kildee
Member of Congress