Update On Houghton County Recovery Effort

County and state officials are working together to restore the Copper Country after devastating flash floods over the weekend.

A press conference was held at the Houghton County Courthouse Tuesday to update the public on the recovery and relief effort.

Emergency Services Coordinator Chris Van Arsdale said the 7 ½ inches of rain that fell within 24 hours tied for the most rainfall recorded in the area set in 1909.

Van Arsdale said there were two injuries reported, one minor and another more serious involving a 12-year-old child who reportedly passed away Monday from injuries sustained Sunday morning.

Some 80 roads were damaged with roughly half of those made impassable. Motorists are warned that many roads are still very dangerous and drivers should stay away from any damaged areas.

Van Arsdale said, “We are encouraging members of the public to keep away from those areas as much as possible. Not only does it slow the crews that are out trying to restore some of those areas, but there are a lot of places where roads have been undercut that are not visible and you can walk along and it could give way in places, so please very cautious about where you’re going and keep away from those places you do know are damaged.”

If a gas line is exposed or someone smells gas, they are asked to report it immediately.

The bridge at Swedetown Creek on M-203 was a total loss. MDOT says they are working on a solution but do not have a timetable as of yet as to when the road will be open.

A four square block area of Hubbell was evacuated Sunday, encompassing 80-90 homes. A shelter was provided at the Calumet Colosseum for those displaced from their homes. There were four people who stayed at the shelter Sunday night and none on Monday night. The evacuation was cancelled Monday evening.

A team of volunteers is out doing a general damage assessment and will ask questions of local residents.

All bathing beaches in Houghton County are closed and the Western U.P. Health Department recommends that there is no recreational contact with the water, including fishing or kayaking, until tests have been completed.

The Health Department also recommends contacting a restaurant before traveling to eat there to make sure they are up and running.

Local and state disaster declarations have been made and the county is working on applying for aid through FEMA.

The process requires residents to report damage to their home, so it’s very important for residents to call 211 to have an assessment done.

Local municipalities are also to keep a record of all the costs associated with relief efforts, including items donated.

When asked about those who do not have flood insurance, including those who were unable to obtain flood insurance because their home was not in a designated flood plain, Arsdale said those questions would have to be directed toward the townships who make those designations.

State Representative Scott Dianda said he will be meeting with Governor Rick Snyder and the National Guard and they will discuss storm water management and prevention measures so this does not happen again.

“We’ve got to look beyond just what the scope is on the ground. What are the other problems? We’re going to have a conversation with the Drain Commissioner these areas because a lot of this has come from the mining days. Where you’re living, a lot of that area was taken care of with the railroad. Back in the 60’s, they cleaned those ditches out. We’ve got to start looking at the infrastructure,” said Dianda while addressing a resident in the audience whose house had been damaged by a mudslide.

Volunteers who would like to help out can contact the Volunteer Registration Center at 906-233-6621.

In-kind donations and donations of goods are being accepted at Dee Stadium in Houghton. Van Arsdale said the items needed the most are work gloves, rakes, and shovels. The City of Houghton Police Department is coordinating that effort and can be reached at 906-482-2121.

Monetary donations can be made through the Portage Health Foundation or the Keweenaw Community Foundation.

The Portage Health Foundation has established a fund for storm relief. Read about it, and find out how to contribute to it, here.

The Keweenaw Community Foundation has also established a fund for storm relief. Contribute through their GoFundMe site here.

For those who need to dispose of any debris from the cleanup of their property are asked to follow their local guidelines for trash disposal.

Anyone with questions regarding the flood and the relief effort are asked to call 211.

Another press conference is scheduled at the Houghton County Courthouse on Friday at noon.