Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is asking President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration amid the Flint water crisis.
Gov. Snyder asks Pres. Obama to declare federal emergency/major disaster to help Flint https://t.co/JVGGbZbdSg pic.twitter.com/jphUT81L2M
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) January 15, 2016
Snyder's office said in a statement late Thursday night that it had asked for the declarations and is seeking additional federal aid for both individuals and public agencies involved in the effort to provide Flint residents with clean drinking water.
Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. Local officials declared a public health emergency in October.
The statement says Snyder's request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will advise the president on whether the declarations should be granted.
