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Volunteers Help UP Recover As MI Officials Ask For Federal Support

flood damage, Upper Peninsula, Houghton County
Nicole Walton
/
WNMU public media

With the help of volunteers, the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is recovering from the June storm that left devastating floods. Katie Cook reports.

 

To aid in the flood recovery of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Michigan Community Service Commission partnered with several organizations to support at least 16 responders in the field.

Chad Veeser is disaster coordinator for Michigan Community Service Commission. He was up in the area recently and said he was shocked to see the level of damage and debris.

“Especially on the side of the roads there were these deep ravines, maybe 5 feet deep, that washed out part of the shoulder where the concrete stopped and the grass started, the amount of water created these deep kind of canyons on the side of the roads.”

Veeser says he was impressed with the great amount of repair work that’s already been done, but he agrees with Lt. Governor Brian Calley’s request for a major disaster declaration which would bring federal assistance to the affected counties, Houghton being one of the worst damaged.

“I personally would feel that Houghton would be helped quicker, better, more efficiently, more effectively if there were additional resources.”

On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, and Representative Jack Bergman urged President Trump to approve the request.

 

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