Obama signs emergency order over Flint water

President Obama has signed a MI emergency declaration submitted by Gov. Rick Snyder to give federal aid to Flint during the water crisis.

The President did so on Saturday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to lead Washington’s disaster relief. Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow said she will push for long-term resources, and Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee said residents “deserve every resource available to make sure they have safe water and are able to recover from this bad man-made disaster created by the state”.

Flint’s water became contaminated with too much lead after a state-appointed financial manager switched its water supply in 2014 to save money.

The announcement reads that the president “ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by the contaminated water”.

“The state has responded, but the response needs far exceed the state’s capability”, Snyder said. Republican governor Ricky Snyder asked Obama for help on Friday, saying emergency measures could cost $41m. “Moore’s petition calls for the arrest and prosecution of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder…”/ (EnviroNews World News) – Flint, Michigan – Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker and Flint, Michigan native Michael Moore has launched a petition – and that call to action has been growing like wildfire online.

“And that local Flint River was innately more corrosive than the Great Lakes water source”. Schuette said, “as attorney general, I will investigate this situation to determine if any MI laws have been broken”.

Weaver declared a state of emergency in December after new blood test results showed that 21 children and nine adults had elevated lead levels in their blood. The lead contamination was a result of the water not being treated well enough to prevent the corrosion of lead pipes and fixtures, which in turn led to the toxic element leaching into the water supply.

The National Guard has been distributing free water, filters and other supplies. “EPA immediately conveyed those concerns to MDEQ – because MDEQ is the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing federal drinking water regulations in MI”, it said.

In other Saturday developments, the Associated Press reported that singer and actress Cher is donating bottled water to the residents of Flint.

An official at the Genesee County health department says the agency has been “bombarded” with phone calls from anxious residents, a day after state officials said the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases had increased. Lead exposure can cause learning disabilities and behavioural problems in children.