Photo: Alex Wong / Getty
DETROIT, July 20, 2021 ~ Monday, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell told 760 WJR’s Paul W. Smith on The Paul W. Smith Show about her plans to lobby to fix the infrastructure. She also spoke on how flood victims can get relief, and work to prevent further personal property damage.
\”It\’s a reoccurring problem, we\’ve got to figure it out,\” said Dingell. \”I am being ruthless, and relentless, and I know there are a few people that are mad at me, but these are not once in a lifetime rains.\”
The Congresswoman said she wants to know why the technology used is not up to date, which is one of the reasons the flooding has been so widespread. Dingell also said that drains need to be cleaned, as the wastewaters being dumped into lakes and streams are toxic.
\”We need to figure out why we still got manual switches,\” said Dingell. \”We\’ve got to figure out why we don\’t have backup electricity for the pumps on I-94.\”
Paul W. Smith agreed with the Congresswoman, and had a message of his own for those in charge of allocating funds for infrastructure renewal.
\”With the President of the United States throwing trillions of dollars around — supposedly for infrastructure — we better make sure we get that money for our infrastructure,\” said Paul W. Smith. \”Which yes includes the roads, which yes includes bridges that are falling down over us, but its got to include the things under the ground that we don\’t see nor think of until we find it backing up in our basements.\”
PODCASTS:
July 19, 2021 ~ Congresswoman Debbie Dingell talks to Paul W. about flooding in Metro Detroit and she has important advice for people on how to get federal help.
“Rain was here long before man was here,” said Paul W. “And yet rain is the one thing — or one of a few — that we really could control our handling of it, and don’t.”
Follow these tips from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services:
Residents should bring valuables to higher ground, and protect paperwork and photos from further damage.
During floods, turn off utilities and disconnect all electrical devices. Do not walk through moving water, just six inches of water is enough to knock you down. Do not drive through flooded areas; six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your car, and two feet of water can sweep away vehicles. Flood water can contain hazardous liquids and sharp debris.
After floodwaters recede, use caution when entering flooded buildings. Enter the building during the day, so electrical lights are not needed. If downed power lines or gas leaks are spotted or suspected, call the proper authorities.
Most importantly, stay safe. Property can be replaced. Personal safety and well being should take priority above any owned item or property.
“We’ve got to get this figured out, and we’ve got to make a plan,” said Dingell.
“We’ve got to come together at the federal, state and local levels,” she continued. “But we got to go fight for those dollars, and we got to be ready, cause we’re not going to get them if we don’t have a plan, and if we’re not working regionally.”
Click HERE for CDC guidelines on washing and sanitizing flooded areas.
Click HERE to apply for FEMA assistance in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
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