FEMA To Assess Wayne County Flood Damage Thursday

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be working alongside state and local personnel beginning Thursday to try and assess flood damages in several Wayne County communities following June 25-26 storms that brought heavy rains to the area.

The joint Preliminary Damage Assessment teams will review the extent, severity and impact of the flood damage to homes and businesses in Wayne County, the Michigan State Police said. The damage totals and impact data collected will be used to determine whether the disaster meets established criteria that would warrant a request for a federal declaration and assistance.

One of those communities will be Dearborn, where a city spokesperson said Thursday FEMA representatives and local officials will be going door-to-door to get details from residents.

"Mayor O’Reilly and city leaders met with FEMA early on Thursday morning at Fire Station No. 1," Mary Laundroche, Dearborn's department of public information director, said. "If the federal government makes a declaration of a national disaster, FEMA will then provide resources directly to residents who apply for its financial help."

The flooding was significant enough that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a state of emergency for parts of Wayne County, where The National Weather Service said more than 6 inches of rain fell during the night of June 25 and the morning of June 26, according to The Associated Press. Grosse Pointe Park said it measured 8.1 inches over 24 hours, the AP reported.

Rain for the entire month of June typically is 3 inches, Whitmer said while surveying the damage.

Storms that crossed through the region also knocked out power to about 40,000 homes and businesses, DTE reported at the time.