Michigan – As a key swing state, both Republicans and Democrats usually put a lot of effort into getting the support from voters. Currently, the support for Trump, who is likely to GOP’s presidential candidate, remains unknown, but Biden already faces some strong opposition from several groups, including Black voters, Arabs and Muslims.
That’s why Biden’s team is very active in Michigan lately. Recently, the United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, a 400,000-member union, publicly endorsed Biden. On Thursday, White House officials traveled to Michigan to meet with Arab American leaders as the president faces mounting frustration within his party over his refusal to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.
But the Biden administration just announced a federal grant for thousands of Michigan residents in what appears to be a series of events in a bid to secure the support of as many voters as possible.
FEMA approves major disaster declaration for Michigan
President Joe Biden has given the thumbs up for a big disaster help plan because of the terrible storms and floods in Michigan last year, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The government has stated that money help is ready for folks in Eaton, Ingham, Kent, Iona, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne counties who felt the brunt of the storms from August 24 to 26, 2023.
If you’re a homeowner or a business owner hit by the storm, you can ask for help online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA mobile app.
This federal help includes money for fixing homes, places to stay temporarily, low-interest loans for stuff not covered by insurance, and programs designed to get people back on their feet, according to what FEMA shared in a news release.
“Michiganders have been working hard to recover from the tornadoes and storms that caused so much damage across the state this summer,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “With today’s federal disaster declaration by President Biden, we will get the resources we need to support impacted families, businesses, and communities. Michiganders are tough. We will get through this the way we always have—together.”
Whitmer declared a state emergency on Aug. 24 in Metro Detroit, where the flooding left many cars stuck and needing towing. Flooding also led to limited road access to the McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metro Airport.
The FEMA announcement
This is the full announcement by FEMA released Thursday:
FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Michigan to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from Aug. 24-26, 2023.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Eaton, Ingham, Iona, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
John F. Boyle has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.