Over 10K Michigan Residents Displaced As Gov. Declared State Of Emergency After Collapsed Dams
As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency on Tuesday (May 19), after two dams collapsed, over 3,500 homes have been destroyed and over 10,000 residents have since been displaced. Fortunately, there are no deaths or injuries reported so far.
Gov. Whitmer placed the emergency for Midland County after the Edenville and Sanford dams collapsed after heavy rains and flash floods across the state. Since, the two dams have caused severe flooding, forcing thousands of residents out of their homes and into shelters, making it harder for officials to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
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Chairman of the Midland County Board of Commissioners, Mark Bone, says emergency response personnel are helping to provide PPE to those displaced in the shelters, but notes the tragedy that is the bad timing of the events. He says, “To go through this in the midst of a global pandemic is almost unthinkable. But we are here, and to the best of our ability we are going to navigate this together. So please, to the best of your ability, continue to wear a face covering when you go to a shelter or go stay with a friend or relative.”
In addition to activating the state’s emergency operations center, the Michigan National Guard has been activated and is on site with high-water vehicles.
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