The Governor of Michigan activated the National Guard to help distribute bottled water and filters in Flint amid the ongoing water crisis in the area.
Testing in October detected increased lead levels in residential water supplies and in children’s blood. Exposure to lead can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children.
Water resource teams were deployed in Flint neighborhoods beginning Tuesday to distribute clean water resources door to door.
The water resource teams consisting of state personnel, including Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers, will be handing out bottled water, water filters, replacement cartridges and water testing kits. If a resident is not home when a team stops by, a flyer with information on how to receive these free water resources will be left at their residence.
Once the state is beyond the immediate response phase, state officials will work with the federal government to determine what additional resources are available under their own authority. Currently, three FEMA liaison officers are in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to provide technical guidance as needed at the request of Capt. Chris Kelenske, deputy state director of emergency management and homeland security and commander of the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.
Bottled water, water filters, replacement cartridges and home water testing kits are being distributed.
