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Flood relief denied for more than 650 Downriver homes

Posted at 5:49 PM, Aug 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-26 20:49:55-04

(WXYZ) — More than 650 homes in Wayne County have been damaged by flooding and on Monday, the community was officially denied flood relief by FEMA after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put in a request in June.

The denial notice came Aug, 9, nearly four months after significant flooding damaged roughly 655 homes in Wayne County. The flooding lasted over a three-day period.

RELATED: Whitmer, Wayne County declare state of emergency due to flooding

"The people with the basements I feel most for," said Paul Pringle, who used a kayak to help people stranded by the flooding. "Luckily I live on a slab. No water got down in the basement. We were able to replace some flooring and be done. It’s more them people I feel bad for."

A reason for the denial was not specifically given, according to Dale George, public information officer for Michigan State Police’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security division.

The denial means a major option for financial help to rebuild damaged homes is likely gone.

Gov. Whitmer has already submitted an appeal. A timeline for an appeal decision is unclear.

190826 - Wayne County Appeal Letter - Signed by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd