Governor Gretchen Whitmer provided a brief update Wednesday afternoon regarding the state’s response to the emergency regarding dam conditions in Midland County and the resulting flooding. Whitmer visited a shelter at Midland High School and toured the area from above in a helicopter.
Whitmer says about 10,000 people were able to safely evacuate Midland following the breach of two dams there.
Heavy rains fell over Mid-Michigan Tuesday night causing flooding and massive damage. Thousands are reportedly without power.
The Edenville and Sanford dams are the biggest of those that breached after four to seven inches of rain fell on Sunday and Monday, and more rain fell Tuesday night.
Emergency officials say downtown Midland could be under nine feet of water by this afternoon.
Shelters have opened across Midland county and are available to residents who need a place to go.Those seeking more information on shelters, road closures, and updates, visit Midland911.org.
A number of street closures remain in effect throughout Midland County and the City of Midland. Residents are advised to obey all road closure signs and to stay clear of standing water, flooded areas, and floating debris. Residents should not attempt to drive or walk through any standing water, and should take extra precaution where electrical items may be submerged.
The American Red Cross is responding to historic flooding in Midland and in the surrounding East-Central Bay area of Michigan.
Shelters are open to safely house residents that have evacuated their homes acting on orders from local emergency management and Governor Whitmer.
Area residents who are evacuated from their homes are welcomed at the following locations: Coleman High School, North Midland Family Center , Midland High School, West Midland Family Center, Bullock Creek High School, Freeland High School, Swan Valley High School, Hemlock High School
Other communities being served include Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Ogemaw, and Saginaw counties, where Red Cross teams are in the field surveying damaged homes and working with local emergency management to assess the impact of the flooding and additional needs in the affected communities.
“Our hearts are with the residents in the Midland area. Every person who needs a Red Cross service this week and, in the months to follow, will receive the help they need,” said Mary Lynn Foster, Chief Executive Officer of the Red Cross Michigan Region. “We want everyone to know that the Red Cross has implemented additional safety and social distancing requirements to help keep people protected.”
Red Cross continues to work with local public health officials as COVID-19 restrictions are maintained.
Members of the public seeking service or volunteer opportunities are encouraged contact 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or www.redcross.org.
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