Rick Snyder Calls In National Guard For Flint Water Crisis

Gov. Rick Snyder called out the National Guard on Tuesday night to distribute bottled water and filters in Flint, where the tap water is contaminated with lead.

With the arrival of the National Guard troops, Red Cross volunteers will now go door-to-door to distribute supplies rather than staffing sites where residents can pick up bottled water, filters, and testing kits.

He also said he first clearly knew of Flint’s lead problem around October 1, when state health authorities confirmed elevated blood-lead levels in children that were detected by a local doctor.

However, almost two years ago while in a state of financial emergency, in order to save money, the city decided that it would change its water supply to the notoriously filthy Flint River in order to save money while waiting for a state project to get Flint water from Lake Huron that was expected to take about two years.

The Republican said that 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.

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

Sheriff’s Capt. Casey Tafoya says they hope to get to 500 to 600 houses a day.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has acknowledged it failed to require Flint to add needed corrosion control chemicals to the water, causing lead to leach into the drinking water from pipes and fixtures. The agency’s director stepped down last month. “This committee, made up of experts from government and the Flint community, will set a course of action to remedy the water situation and resulting health issues, and carry on long after the emergency declaration expires”.

Chief James Tolbert says in a statement that police have received reports of people selling water filters.

Jake May/AP Flint resident Andrew Watson (back right) drops to the floor in tears as Flint police stand guard at the City Council chamber doors on Monday. The city has about 99,000 residents in an estimated 30,000 households.

“The Michigan National Guard is trained and ready to assist the citizens of Flint”, he said.

The United Way of Genesee County is taking donations to pay for bottled water, filters and prevention efforts.

On the list of items the state of MI owes the residents of Flint, this is one of the easiest debts to pay.

A public museum in Flint has commissioned a traveling exhibit on the science and history of the city’s water system in response to the ongoing crisis. “We certainly share their concern that everyone in Flint should have safe, clean water”.