KENT COUNTY, Mich., — It was a historic flood, damaging homes, closing off roads and leaving the Red Cross to set up shelters.
The water rose to levels no one has seen before, leaving cities and counties to declare a state of disaster. Many communities are still working to recover today.
In June, President Obama approved Governor Rick Snyder’s declaration of disaster, making communities eligible for federal assistance. Friday, community leaders met in Kent County to take the first step in getting that money.
They were briefed by FEMA officials and members of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division about the ‘Request for Public Assistance’ process to help get money for damaged public property and infrastructure.
It’s estimated the flooding caused more than $10 million in damage around Kent County. Around $2.5 million of that is public loss.
Michigan State Police State Deputy Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security says they’ve been working with FEMA for some time and this process is now about identifying the projects and infrastructure items that have been damaged.
Leo Skinner with FEMA said it will take a few weeks to process the paper work and another 3 to 6 months until the money may come in.
“The money isn’t going to roll right away, but if they stick with it and work with the process they’re going to get reimbursed 75% of the money they spent on this disaster,” said Skinner.
Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Stewart says times are hard and loss to public property sometimes doesn’t get replaced.
“We had road wash outs, we had drainage wash outs, we had damage to public parks,” Stewart said. Through the program, applicants would also be eligible for possible mitigation costs.
This orientation was only for municipal applicants. Homeowners and small business affected by flooding may be eligible for low-interest rate disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applicants can apply online using the Electronic Loan Application through https://disasterloan.sba.gov.ela.
