Snyder seeks federal disaster declaration

Lauren Chapman

Lansing, MI -- Gov. Rick Snyder has requested President Barack Obama declare both an emergency and an expedited major disaster for Genesee County.

Snyder has requested supplementary federal aid in the form of individual and public assistance to help residents.

"We are utilizing all state resources to ensure Flint residents have access to clean and safe drinking water and today, I am asking President Obama to provide additional resources as our recovery efforts continue," Snyder said.

The request will be reviewed by FEMA, which will advise Obama whether an emergency declaration should be granted.

If federal aid is granted, assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loan to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and businesses recover.

Public assistance helps cover some of the costs incurred by state and local government due to damage to public facilities and infrastructures, such as city schools and the water system.

"I have repeatedly called for Governor Snyder to ask for federal resources for my hometown of Flint since September 29, 2015 and I am glad to see he has finally acted. What is going on in Flint is a serious ongoing public health emergency," Congressman Dan Kildee said. "The residents and thousands of children of Flint who have been poisoned are the victims in this situation. They deserve a response equal to the gravity of this crisis."

WNEM

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