Senators Peters, Stabenow Urge Federal Support of Michigan Communities Affected by Flooding

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today sent letters to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in support of federal disaster assistance for Michigan families, communities and farmers affected by severe flooding this month.

The counties of Midland, Isabella, Gladwin, Bay and surrounding areas recently experienced heavy rainfall and flood waters that displaced families from their homes, damaged personal property, destroyed roads and bridges,  and caused serious crop loss.  As the State of Michigan and local officials assess the damage, the Senators wrote to Governor Snyder in support of federal assistance for the affected communities.

“Our offices have been communicating with local officials as they work with you and your team to assess the impacts on individuals and property and tackle the immediate needs of the communities affected by the flooding,” the Senators wrote to Governor Snyder. “Should your assessments on the damages and necessary resources for recovery extend beyond the capacity of the State and local governments, we stand ready to support you and assist in efforts to seek federal assistance.”

The Senators also notified Secretary Perdue of the reported agricultural crop loss and requested his support for Michigan farmers.

“We are writing to ask for your Department’s support of this assessment and careful consideration should a request for a disaster declaration be made for the impacted counties, the Senators wrote to Secretary Perdue. “Given the seriousness of initial reports of crop damage and loss, we urge you to expedite the decision making process for a declaration.”

The full text of the letter to Governor Snyder is available here and the full text of the letter to Secretary Perdue is available here.