OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The first step toward getting assistance from Lansing, and perhaps Washington, was taken at the Fillmore Street complex on Friday.
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved a declaration of a “state of emergency” due to widespread or severe damage; injury or loss of life or property caused by flooding caused by heaving rainfall and snowmelt.” This situation led to the following conditions: “Flooded homes and roadways, damage to utility, and public health concerns related to flood damaage.”
The most notable effects of heavy rain this past week was road damage that necessitated emergency repairs to the right lane of I-196 between 48th and 64th avenues in Zeeland Township, along with flooding along the Grand River in Robinson Township that was predicted to crest around 17 feet by the end of the weekend, equaling levels seen five years ago.
Other counties in West Michigan have already issued similar emergency declarations in the hope that it would convince Governor Snyder, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to concur and free up disaster relief funds.
