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President Trump approves Gov. Whitmer's request for emergency aid in response to Midland County floods

Trump reshuffling legal team
Posted at 4:35 PM, May 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-21 19:18:30-04

(WXYZ) — Hours after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting emergency aid for Midland County following catastrophic floods, the president approved that request.

RELATED: Gov. Whitmer asks President Trump for federal emergency declaration, aid for Midland County

Trump announced an emergency declaration for the mid-Michigan region Thursday. It allows federal assistance to supplement state and local response efforts to the devastating flood damage after the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams on May 19.

This move allows the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts for Midland County, a statement from the White House said.

It also makes it possible for FEMA to provide needed equipment and resources as needed. This emergency assistance will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

In Gov. Whitmer's initial request, the aid she sought for Midland County would include, but would not just be limited to: debris removal, mobile bridges to ensure access for emergency response vehicles and equipment to flooded areas, emergency medical responders from the National Guard, and technical assistance and sandbags from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

“The federal emergency declaration is a good start because it will help us take protective measures to protect lives and property from further damage,” Governor Whitmer said. “These devastating floods have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused a tremendous amount of damage to our infrastructure. I’m hopeful that the federal government will soon approve the full funding request to help Michigan families rebuild after this natural disaster.”