Today, Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) along with all 14 members of the Michigan U.S. House Delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden supporting Governor Gretchen Whitmer's request for an extension of the Major Disaster declaration granted on July 15 following several severe storms across the State of Michigan. The Governor has requested amending the Major Disaster declaration to include Macomb and Oakland Counties, activate all Individual Assistance (IA) for Macomb and Oakland Counties and activate Public Assistance (PA) for Ionia, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties.
"We are grateful for the quick issuance of the Major Disaster declaration for Washtenaw and Wayne Counties in response to severe weather and flooding in Southeast Michigan and, in other parts of the state, tornado damage that occurred on June 25 and June 26," the lawmakers write. "Since that initial declaration, additional damage assessments have been completed in the most impacted areas of the state. These assessments highlight the need for further federal resources and assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow our communities to recover."
"On August 9, Governor Whitmer requested a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) to verify damages applicable to Macomb and Oakland Counties, which concluded on August 11, and identified that supplemental federal assistance is needed to cope with flooding damages in these two counties. The initial Major Disaster declaration did not include Macomb and Oakland Counties; however, as the Governor detailed, the state still received over 1,000 FEMA assistance applications from both counties, including 573 assistance applications from Macomb County residents and 473 applications from Oakland County residents," the lawmakers continue. "Many of these damages are concentrated in the most socially vulnerable areas, including disabled, poverty-stricken, under-employed and renter-occupied housing communities."
The lawmakers conclude, "We are profoundly appreciative for the work of the State and local agencies, non-profits and businesses that have invested in and helped lead recovery efforts thus far for these counties. However, additional assistance granted under the Individual Assistance program for Macomb and Oakland Counties and Public Assistance for Ionia, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties is necessary to ensure the physical safety and economic security of those impacted. We urge you to grant the Governor's request and swiftly approve the extension of the Major Disaster declaration so we can rebuild our communities and our constituents can recover fully. Thank you for your consideration of our request."
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-michigan-delegation-urge-president-biden-extend-major-disaster
