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LIVE STREAM: Gov. Whitmer holds briefing on Midland County flooding response
Read full article: LIVE STREAM: Gov. Whitmer holds briefing on Midland County flooding responseMIDLAND, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will offer an update on the state’s response to the devastating floods in Midland County last month. Whitmer will provide a brief update alongside local officials on the state’s response to the historic flooding in Mid-Michigan. Afterward, she will volunteer at the flood relief donation distribution center. The briefing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. -- you can watch it live in the video player above.
More than 800 volunteers visit Midland to help flood victims despite pandemic
Read full article: More than 800 volunteers visit Midland to help flood victims despite pandemicMIDLAND, Mich. – Instead of gathering with loved ones this Memorial Day weekend, more than 800 volunteers traveled to Midland to take part in a massive cleanup effort. In the midst of a pandemic volunteers from across the state descended on Midland early Saturday morning. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spent days collecting pumps, cleaning supplies, boots, gloves and masks for volunteers. Michiganders dealing with the pandemic are coming together to help families who have lost everything. And we’re quickly seeing that others are joining us,” said Bishop Monte Searle with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Homeowners survey devastation of Midland County floods
Read full article: Homeowners survey devastation of Midland County floodsHomeowners survey devastation of Midland County floodsPublished: May 21, 2020, 12:24 pmAuthorities were assessing damage Thursday as floodwaters from heavy rains that overtook two dams retreated in some mid-Michigan communities and continued to threaten others further downriver.
Trump declares emergency for flooded Michigan communities
Read full article: Trump declares emergency for flooded Michigan communitiesPresident Donald Trump, who was in Michigan to visit a Ford production plant, signed an emergency declaration authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts. In Midland, 61 people spent Wednesday night and Thursday morning in temporary shelters, according to city spokeswoman Selina Tisdale. That number — mostly the elderly and families — dwindled throughout Thursday as floodwaters receded and some residents were able to return home, she said. Much of the area remained underwater, including in Midland, the headquarters of Dow Chemical Co. And floodwaters continued to threaten downstream communities. “And my hat’s off to Midland.”Other area residents returned to their homes to find heavy damage.
Drone footage shows extend of damage caused by severe floods in mid-Michigan
Read full article: Drone footage shows extend of damage caused by severe floods in mid-MichiganGretchen Whitmer has asked for a federal emergency declaration due to devastating floods in mid-Michigan. The Edenville Dam broke on Tuesday evening and the Sanford Dam breached after heavy rainfall hit the region, causing massive flooding in the area. By Wednesday morning, water that was several feet high covered some streets near the river in downtown Midland. READ: Investigating who is responsible for Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsThe flooding forced about 11,000 people to evacuate their homes in the Midland area. Midland City Manager Brad Kaye said it was fortunate that the Tittabawassee River crested at just over 35 feet (11 meters), about 3 feet (90 centimeters) below the forecast level.
Tittibiwassee River crests at 35 feet, could still be days before waters recede
Read full article: Tittibiwassee River crests at 35 feet, could still be days before waters recedeMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. A State of Emergency was declared for Midland County after two dams failed. The Edenville Dam broke and the Sanford Dam was breached late Tuesday night. It was almost a surreal piece of good news for the Midland County Emergency Management team to announce the Tittibiwassee River had crested at 35 feet on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.Its still 11 feet above flood stage and the area is still days away from the waters receding. On the Tobacco River, near the Edenville Dam people tried to salvage what they could. Unlike the Edenville Dam, where the water physically broke through -- sending parts of the dam downriver.
Map shows flooding impact on roads across Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw counties
Read full article: Map shows flooding impact on roads across Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw countiesLANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) GIS Unit has created an interactive map listing all road closures related to flooding impacting Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw counties. The map includes closures for state trunklines (I, M and US routes), local roads and will provide updated road impacts until flooding concerns have subsided. More than 20 state trunkline and local agency bridges have been impacted by flooding and will require inspections prior to reopening to the public, according to officials. Flooding also caused severe damage to many bridges that will need to be repaired. “We’re asking the public to continue to follow any safety advisories issued and respect any road barricades you may encounter.
Michigan dam had repeated safety violations before flooding
Read full article: Michigan dam had repeated safety violations before floodingThis photo shows a view of a dam on Wixom Lake in Edenville, Mich., Tuesday, May 19, 2020. The Edenville dam, in Michigans Gladwin and Midland counties, includes a series of earthen embankments totaling about 6,600 feet (2,012 meters) long, with a maximum height of nearly 55 feet (16.8 meters). The Edenville dam's spillway capacity was only about 50 percent of the probable maximum flood, the commission said. Among its other violations: performing unauthorized dam repairs and earth-moving and failing to file an adequate public safety plan, maintain recreation facilities or monitor water quality. The record demonstrates that there is no reason to believe that Boyce Hydro will come into compliance," the commission added.
Officials provide update on devastating floods in Midland County
Read full article: Officials provide update on devastating floods in Midland CountyMIDLAND, Mich. Officials provided an update on devastating floods in Midland County on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.Officials from Midland County Emergency Management, the City of Midland, and the County of Midland will provide an update to the public regarding ongoing flooding conditions. The flooding, caused by dam failure in mid-Michigan, has left shocking damage to roads, houses and entire cities in the area. Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency due to the flooding. READ: Shocking mid-Michigan flood pictures show ravaged roads, underwater houses, floating carsWatch the update above. MORE: Looked like Niagra Falls -- Dam that created Wixom Lake gives way, flooding mid-Michigan communities