Hazardous Spill Prompts Emergency Order In Wayne County

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday night declared a state of emergency for the City of Flat Rock and Wayne and Monroe counties, after an unknown odor was detected in the city’s sewer system.

The emergency order was prompted after a hazardous spill in the city's sewer system and residents soon began reporting smells of gas, according to the news release.

"We are working closely with local officials and emergency crews to investigate the source of these fumes and protect the safety of residents in the area," Gov. Whitmer said.

"My top priority is ensuring that every resource is available to the City of Flat Rock, Wayne County, and Monroe County to determine where the odor originated, so that we can clean up the affected area and prevent further harm," she added. "I’m grateful to the leadership in the City of Flat Rock, Wayne County, Monroe County, and all of the first responders who have been on the ground keeping people safe."

The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate state efforts in conjunction with local agencies. Hazmat teams have been working around the clock to evacuate impacted areas and to find the source of the fumes, according to the news release.