Obama declares emergency in MI over bad water – White House

Residents of Flint were forbidden from using the city’s water after it came to light that the municipal water system had been comprised by dangerously high levels lead. Gen. Gregory Vadnais announced increased presence of soldiers at water resource sites throughout Flint on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016.

“We need the president of the United States here”, Moore said. Democratic presidential contender, Bernie Sanders has stepped into the fray, joining outraged Flint residents and calling for the resignation of Governor Snyder, reports CBS News.

The emergency assistance will provide water, water filters, water filter cartridges, water tests kits and other necessary items for a period of no more than 90 days.

“Mistrust in government is at a heightened level”, Snyder, a Republican, said in a request dated Thursday and released to The Associated Press. “It featured a photo of the former Flint residents holding a pair of handcuffs with a sign that read “#ArrestGovSnyder”.

In tweeting about the crisis, Cher indicated she spoke with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, whom she called “a dedicated public servant who seems to care so much”. “I can’t believe it”, Simmons said. “But we just don’t know if we can be sure”.

“Critics say the state’s response – in particular, the governor’s handling of the crisis – has been inadequate at best, criminal at worst”, Michigan Radio’s Steve Carmody reported for NPR earlier this week.

The state of MI can’t meet all the needs of Flint residents whose water system has been contaminated by lead, Gov. Rick Snyder said in a request for a federal disaster declaration and millions of dollars that could pay for clean water, filters and other essentials.

Singer Cher is trying to help. But the damage to the pipes has already been done, and the leaching of lead into tap water continues.

The situation dates back to April 2014 when Flint switched water sources to save money.

To keep the water flowing until then, the city began drawing from the river. Genesee County also has seen a spike of Legionnaires’ disease resulting in 10 deaths that may or may not be related to the water crisis, state officials previously said.

However, an exception has been made for Flint where residents have complained of rashes and headaches.

But officials failed to account for the Flint River’s saltiness; the water is 19 times more corrosive than Lake Huron. The head of the department and his spokesman resigned.

A state-appointed task force preliminarily found that fault lies with the state DEQ, and on December 29 director Dan Wyant stepped down. “It failed in that responsibility and must be held accountable for that failure”.