Members of the Michigan National Guard are headed to Flint to help dole out bottled water, filters and other supplies to residents dealing with a drinking water crisis that began months ago.
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Flint’s crisis is the third time during the administration of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder that decisions about water supply and water quality at the most senior levels of state government have put state residents in harm’s way.
Flint’s water troubles began in April 2014, when the city of 102,000 residents in southeastern MI began sourcing its water from the nearby Flint River instead of receiving Lake Huron water from its longtime water supplier, the Detroit city water department. It was the state’s health department that failed in July previous year to warn the governor’s chief of staff of concerns about elevated lead levels among Flint’s children. FEMA appointed a disaster recovery coordinator to assist, spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said.
Sheriff’s Capt. Casey Tafoya says they hope to get to 500 to 600 houses a day.
On Tuesday, braving cold temperatures and 3ins (7.62cm) of snow, eight teams of volunteers fanned out across the city under the escort of state troopers and sheriff’s deputies to deliver bottled water, filters and lead test kits.
“We plan to go every day this week, and we’ll continue until everyone has safe drinking water”, state police Lt. Dave Kaiser told the Associated Press.
The move comes as Flint police have been warning people to be wary of scammers trying to prey on residents by selling them faulty water filters. He notes that filters are being distributed for free around the city, so there’s no need to buy one from someone on the street.
No. Hardly. While the 30 National Guardsmen are expected to be in place by Friday following today’s call-up, let’s face it, it’s simply 30 bodies to help distribute water and supplies to the estimated 30,000 households in the perpetually beleaguered industrial city of 99,000.
Lead toxicity is unsafe for children because it can interfere with the development of the brain and nervous system, and carries other health risks for many organs and systems, some of which may not be apparent for years after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency’s director stepped down last month.
Mr Snyder has described the situation as a “crisis” and declared an emergency last week. Flint residents, many of whom live at or below the poverty line, are still being billed for the water that’s poisoning their kids.
A handful of National Guard leaders have arrived in Flint and are being briefed on the city’s lead in water crisis this morning, January 13. “Sadly, myself and many leaders of my community have advocated for this type of response for months”.
“It is the state’s ultimate responsibility to act and make it right”, said Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat who also represents the Flint area.
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The state authorities have been criticised for the speed with which they have responded to the crisis.
