BREAKING: Governor Declares Emergency in Flint Water Crisis

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LANSING, MI – Hours after the Justice Department confirmed its investigation of the Flint water crisis, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency in the city because of lead-contaminated drinking water and possibly setting the stage for a request for federal assistance to deal with the public health crisis.

“The health and welfare of Flint residents is a top priority and we’re committed to a coordinated approach with resources from state agencies to address all aspects of this situation,” Snyder said, according to The Detroit News.

“Working in full partnership with the Flint Water Advisory Task Force, all levels of government and water quality experts, we will find both short-term and long-term solutions to ensure the health and safety of Flint residents,” he said.

The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate the state’s efforts to respond to the crisis. The governor also activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the state response and recovery activities.

“The state of Michigan will use its resources to the fullest possible extent during this emergency,” according to a statement by the Michigan Emergency Management, Homeland Security Division. “If state and local resources are unable to cope with the emergency, the Governor may request federal assistance.”

Both Genesee County and the city of Flint have declared emergencies.

Snyder apologized to Flint residents a week ago after announcing he had accepted the resignation of former Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant and after the Flint Water Advisory Task Force found the DEQ was “primarily responsible” for failing to ensure the drinking water was safe.

It’s unclear if the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit, which is organized under the Justice Department, is conducting a criminal or civil probe. Ongoing investigations aren’t normally made public, but Gina Balayla, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade, said officials were departing from normal procedure to a high volume of letters and other inquiries from the public.

The Justice Department is working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the investigation of the contamination of Flint’s water supply, Balayla said.

Related

• Erin Brockovich Keeping an Eye on Flint’s ‘Poop Water’
• Pediatrician Exposed Crisis of Lead in Flint Water
• State Delayed Action on Lead in Flint Water
• DEQ Director Resigns Over Flint Water Crisis
• Justice Department Looking at Flint Water Crisis