President Barack Obama has signed an emergency disaster declaration for the city of Flint, in the midst of a drinking water crisis.
Advertisement
The president did so on Saturday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to lead Washington’s disaster relief.
The emergency declaration will unlock $5m (£3.5m) in federal funding.
The harmful Flint River water allowed lead to leach into the water system from service pipes.
Dave Murray – a spokesperson for the governor’s office – said in a statement that finger-pointing from candidates not involved in finding solutions for Flint only serve to distract from solving the crisis. “I have pledged to use all state resources possible to help heal Flint, and these additional resources will greatly assist in efforts underway to ensure every resident has access to clean water resources”. That water was then found to contain harmful chemicals, bacteria, and, most dangerously, lead.
Lead poisoning is unsafe for anyone, but Flint Mayor Karen Weaver has pointed to research showing how lead exposure can affect a developing child’s IQ, resulting in learning disabilities.
Despite residents complaining about the water, and a pediatrician presenting a report about elevated levels of lead in the blood of children living in Flint, the problem was not publicly acknowledged until October 2015.
Snyder declared an emergency last week.
This comes just two days after MI governor Rick Snyder requested help dealing with the fallout of a water crisis that seems to keep getting worse.
Also Friday, Michigan’s top prosecutor, Attorney General Bill Schuette, announced an investigation to determine if any laws were broken in the months following the switch in water source.
The National Guard has been distributing free water, filters and other supplies, and FEMA workers already were providing logistical and technical support.
On Saturday, the singer Cher said she would donate bottled water to Flint residents, with some 180,000 bottles to be shipped. However, the city did not treat corrosive water properly, which led to metal leaching from old pipes.
An official at the Genesee County health department says the agency has been “bombarded” with phone calls from anxious residents, a day after state officials said the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases had increased. So far, the White House has approved up to $5 million in assistance, and more can be provided if Congress is involved.
Advertisement
Residents’ complaints about the taste, odor and appearance of the water, which began immediately after the switch, were largely ignored by state officials.
