Whitmer Announces Plan To Use $10M For Flooding Recovery

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is putting forward a plan to use $10 million in emergency relief funding to help Michiganders recovering from significant flooding that took place following widespread rainfall on June 25 and 26.

The $10 million comes from state general funds, Whitmer's office said in an announcement Thursday afternoon. The funding will be allocated to Wayne and Washtenaw counties as well as the city of Detroit in order to set up grant programs for people not eligible for federal assistance.

“Recognizing the hardships the flooding has placed on individuals and families that sustained damage to their homes and loss of personal property, we are working with Wayne and Washtenaw counties and the City of Detroit to ensure this funding is available to help residents as they recover from this disaster,” Whitmer said. “I appreciate the partnership with the counties and City of Detroit in putting together these programs to help get residents back on their feet.”

Related: Michiganders Left Cleaning Flood Damages Again After Rainfall

The funds are part of a supplemental funding bill signed by Whitmer on July 26 and meant to be used in assisting areas of the state with restoration costs and other expenses resulting from weather-related events that occurred in June 2021.

Wayne and Washtenaw counties were hit by heavy rainfall on June 25 and 26, causing widespread flooding that damaged infrastructure and private property.

Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Wayne County on June 26. On July 8, Whitmer added Washtenaw County to the emergency declaration.

By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. Federal assistance became available on July 15, when President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration.