Michigan National Guard to help distribute supplies in Flint water crisis

But water services for numerous city’s largest commercial water consumers, which owed the city water department millions of dollars in unpaid charges, were not halted.

In October, the state assisted the city in moving its source of drinking water back to Lake Huron water supplied by Detroit, but there are concerns that contamination remains because the river water damaged pipes and other infrastructure.

Exposure to lead can cause behavioural problems and learning disabilities in children.

Since October, more than 12,000 filters have been distributed, more than 2,000 blood tests have been done – uncovering 43 cases of elevated lead levels – and more than 700 water tests have been conducted, Snyder said.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

On Tuesday, residents of Flint, Michigan were invited to bring their children to a local elementary school for a “Lead Testing and Family Fun Night”.

“They don’t care”, Autumn Stewart said.

Kildee said in a statement.

Gov. Synder Monday announced the creation of the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee, aimed at developing solutions for long-term problems associated with the water crisis. The 211 call centers for the Heart of West Michigan United Way and United Way of West Michigan are taking overflow calls from the Flint area, helping to connect residents to resources.

Gov. Rick Snyder activated the National Guard late Tuesday, and Lt. Col. William Humes confirmed about a half-dozen representatives arrived Wednesday morning.

The governor has also reached out to Washington for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Now, residents of nearby Flint, Mich., are dealing with contaminated water. He referenced floods in Detroit, saying it took more than 30 days to go through the process. He’s asking people to report potential scams to police, including people trying to sell filters they got for free. Over the next year and a half, a series of public announcements and troubling disclosures, many of them first reported by investigative journalist Curt Guyette, described Flint’s deteriorating water quality and growing public dismay.

The exhibit, titled “Water’s Extreme Journey”, will open January 23 at the Sloan Museum and will close May 8.

Late yesterday, we learned that Michigan National Guard troops will relieve Red Cross volunteers who’ve been distributing bottled water and other supplies.

Volunteers and police have been going door to door with bottled water, filters and lead test kits.

FEMA says it has appointed a “federal disaster recovery coordinator” to help deal with the situation.