Residents in Flint, Michigan have been struggling in their drinking water resources. The water system has been contaminated with lead for a few months. FEMA has sent help.
In the event of a disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sends help on the way. FEMA has on hand stocks of goods and items that is necessary in times of crisis. FEMA distributes them to non-profit groups and organizations if nearing expiration date.
On Tuesday, FEMA sent 28,000 liters of bottled water in two trucks to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. The water will be distributed to centers handling food, soup kitchens for example and shelters that are thirsty for water.
Cassie Ringsdorf, FEMA spokeswoman released a statement regarding the warehoused available commodities:
As a part of our normal commodities management process, FEMA periodically offers commodities nearing the end of their shelf-life to eligible non-profits for donation. These donations are not done, 'on-request,' but are a part of our normal strategy to maintain our stockpiles for use in emergencies
Michigan Officials stated a Public Health Emergency. This was declared back in October when Flint residents complained of a weird smell and taste coming from their local water sources. Children were also tested, and clinic and laboratory tests taken from blood samples conclude that these children had elevated levels of lead.
Flint residents have been adivsed not to drink faucet or tap water unless filtered properly because of the lead contamination in the Flint River. The river has been the city's main source of water from April of last year until October of this year.
Since the report, the river has been shut down as a water source for the surrounding areas but reports still indicated that the river water is still contaminated and some parts of the city's water supply still has traces of lead.
Mayor Dayne Walling recommends that residents continue to use a certified filter meant for lead removal and flushing cold water for five minutes before consuming it.
