Programs / May 27, 2020 - June 2020
Central Michigan Flooding Assessment
Event
On May 19, 2020, heavy rains led the aging Edenville and Sanford dams to fail, resulting in major flooding in Midland County. Over 10,000 people were evacuated including a senior living facility and hospital patients. Several homes were damaged, but no one was injured or killed.
Floodwater entered the Dow Chemical plant, forcing its shutdown and overflowing its containment ponds, leading to concern over pollution.
About Our Central MI Assessment
After careful consideration regarding COVID-19 restrictions, we deployed our Assessment team to Midland County in central Michigan.
Working with local partners in Sanford, MI, we mucked and gutted the home of Ruth (90) and her husband Leroy (85) displaced from the floods. Their basement and part of the first floor were inundated. With the assistance of 20 volunteers, including their children and grandchildren, our friend Sue Glassnor and her daughter, former Program Staff member Emily Brough, and volunteers from United Way Crisis Response International, the home was cleared and ready for rebuild.
During our time in Midland, we found that most of the response work had been taken care of and the community was coming together to take care of what needed to be done.
Assessment Updates
Central Michigan Flooding Assessment Complete
On May 21, 2020 Heavy rain led to two dam failures in Central Michigan, and thousands were displaced from their homes. On May 27, 2020, after careful consideration with COVID-19... Read More
Central MI Flooding Assessment Update
We are working with local partners in Sanford, MI in response to the recent flooding. Over the weekend we started to muck and gut the home of an elderly couple... Read More
Central Michigan Flooding Assessment Announced
After careful consideration regarding COVID-19 restrictions, an Assessment team left today in transit to Midland County in central Michigan following the recent flooding. We’ll be taking this time to explore... Read More
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