Trump Will Make Disaster Declaration Decision

Now that President Trump has made his selection for the Supreme Court, perhaps his next decision will be whether to declare Houghton County as a federal disaster area.

The request for the declaration was officially submitted Monday from the State of Michigan by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

The request includes Houghton, Gogebic, and Menominee Counties, all hit with flash flooding during the storm on Father’s Day weekend.

Calley has requested supplementary federal aid in the form of Public Assistance and Individual Assistance to help eligible residents, businesses and local governments because of the severity and magnitude of the flooding.

If federal aid is granted, assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and businesses recover from the effects of the flooding.

This request also includes assistance for costs incurred by state and local governments due to damage to public facilities and infrastructures, such as schools and roads.

Calley’s request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will advise President Trump whether a disaster declaration should be granted.

Ultimately, the President will determine whether to provide federal assistance.