Governor asks Obama for emergency declaration in Flint water crisis

Snyder’s request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will advise the president on whether the declarations should be granted, the statement said.

Muchmore also discussed the July e-mail he sent to Lyon, expressing concern that the concerns of Flint residents about the quality of their water were being “blown off” by the Snyder administration.

Lead leached into the tap water of some city residents following the decision to temporarily switch to the Flint River for drinking water.

Flint, which is about 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit, returned to using that city’s water in October after tests found elevated levels of lead in the water and in the blood of some children.

The United Way of Genesee County is taking donations to pay for bottled water, filters and prevention efforts in Flint. Federal aid could include could include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-priced loans to cover uninsured property loans and other programs.

Meantime, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says he was launch an investigation into the Flint Water Situation. The state Health Department has just started investigating whether an increase of Legionnaires’ disease cases – seven of them fatal – could be linked to the crisis.

Snyder has declared an emergency in Flint because of lead in water.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says he’s in favor of restoring the full powers of Flint’s mayor.

One of the highest levels of lead in Flint registered at over 30 times above the safe amount of lead in water by EPA standards and was found at the home of LeeAnne Walters, a stay-at-home mother of four in the spring of 2015. Mayor Karen Weaver told a Detroit radio station this morning she was glad to see Snyder move forward with the request.

This comes after the State of Emergency that Snyder declared on January 5.

Kildee says in a statement that “thousands of children of Flint who have been poisoned are the victims in this situation”.

In a statement, the EPA says the memo contained “confidential personal and enforcement-sensitive information”, and that the memo was immediately circulated to its regional staff working on the Flint water issue. He said Snyder’s request “is an important step toward making sure they get the help they need”.

The U.S. Attorney General’s office for the Eastern district of MI is also conducting an investigation.

“We are hopeful the culpable parties will receive justice”, said Gerald Kariem of the United Auto Workers, which was handing out bottled water and filters on Friday.