Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Newaygo County after heavy rains caused flooding across the area.
The declaration will open up services and funding for the county to help with the recovery. More than what the county can offer as many residents continue to clean up.
Denise Bundt and her husband have been dealing with this mess since Friday, when the waters receded after flooding over from Martin Lake.
“We haven’t lived here that long but people who have lived on the lake 20+ years, said it’s never happened,” says Bundt.
Many people in Newaygo County deal with flooding but they mostly are along the Muskegon River. This weekend’s flood expanded further than the immediate river basin, meaning outside of flood insurance coverage.
“These homes aren’t anywhere near a flood plain,” says Abby Watkins, Newaygo County Emergency Manager, “If they were in a low lying area, they ended up with water inside their home.”
“We’ve got really good insurance,” says Bundt, “But then when I was told that wasn’t gonna happen, it’s like OK where do we go from here?”
The state of emergency is focused on helping governments fix infrastructure, roads, sewers and bridges. When it comes to helping homeowners, it helps to be extenuating circumstances. Which being outside of the flood plain, they’re hoping that’s the case.
“It’s a waiting game at that point and I think that’s the thing,” says Watkins, “That’s kind of hardest thing because these residents aren’t used to flooding.”
The Bundts, like many, will wait and see. Wait for what kind of relief will come from the state as they continue to rebuild their home. A daunting task for anyone.
“Now that we’re getting things cleaned up,” says Bundt, “It seems more unreachable.”
To report damages to the county,
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