Snyder asks Obama for federal emergency declaration and aid for Genesee County

The Michigan state government has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks because of reports that it downplayed and even actively tried to cover up problems with Flint’s drinking water before incontrovertible evidence of a crisis became public. Members of the Michigan National Guard arrived in Flint on Wednesday to help distribute water bottles, filters, and other materials to over 30,000 households.

Protesters gathered in the State Capitol building Thursday to demand Snyder’s ouster, and we’re told they will be heading back next Tuesday for the State of the State address.

Snyder’s office said in a statement late Thursday night it had asked for the declarations and is seeking additional federal aid for both individuals and public agencies involved in the effort to provide Flint residents with clean drinking water.

In addition to Snyder, the suit specifically names former Flint emergency financial manager Darnell Earley and other former emergency managers. However, lead continues to leach into the water because the city’s lead pipes were corroded by Flint River water.

The state auditor general and a state task force have faulted the Department of Environmental Quality for not requiring Flint to treat the river water for corrosion and belittling the public’s fears. At the same time, MI state government spokesperson Brad Wurfel said that “anyone who is concerned about lead in the drinking water in Flint can relax”; Wurfel, who has since resigned, also later called Del Toral a “rogue employee”.

FLINT, Mich. (AP) – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has asked President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration amid a drinking water crisis in Flint that began months ago. Exposure to lead can cause behaviour problems and learning disabilities in children as kidney ailments in adults. FEMA has appointed a disaster recovery coordinator. The declaration makes available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in Genesee County as outlined in the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.

Kildee says in a statement that “thousands of children of Flint who have been poisoned are the victims in this situation”. From June 2014 through March 2015, there were 45 cases of Legionnaires’, including seven deaths, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

A Thursday release from the Genesee County Health Department stated residents can not become ill from drinking water containing the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease.

Speaking generally, Mark Valacak, chief health officer at the county health department, said his agency is always monitoring for communicable diseases.

In the longer term, he said local, state and federal officials would look to figure out what went wrong so that a similar crisis does not break out in any other corner of the state.

Snyder spokesman Dave Murray told MLive.com that the governor “acted aggressively” and announced an action plan after becoming aware of the lead levels. People can get sick if they inhale mist or vapor from contaminated water systems, hot tubs and cooling systems, but the bacteria don’t spread from person to person. Beattie sells filtered water from his grocery stores that he says has been tested by state authorities and has been shown to be safe to drink.