The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the imminent closure of its last two disaster recovery centers in Wayne County. Set for this Wednesday, the shutdown comes as the application period for federal assistance from last summer’s severe weather events nears its end.
Residents of Wayne, along with those in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, and Oakland counties, have until May 8 to seek aid. These communities were heavily impacted by a series of storms, tornados, and floods between August 24-26, which caused extensive disruptions. Thousands were left without power, numerous flights were delayed, and infrastructure, including freeways, was severely damaged. The events also led to several injuries and fatalities.
The two centers slated for closure are located at the Butzel Family Recreation Center in Detroit and the Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus in Taylor. Both will cease operations Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., with services available from 9 a.m. that day.
Nearly a year after severe storms ravaged parts of Michigan, the impact is still palpable in the affected communities. Thousands of families and households were hit hard, with many still grappling with the long-term effects—homes not fully repaired, lives not yet back to normal. As FEMA winds down its assistance centers, the question looms: What if this happens again? Is there a point where aid should be cut off, or do we need to ensure continuous support for these communities? Identifying the best outcomes involves not just short-term relief but also bolstering our infrastructure and response systems to better withstand future storms. These are critical questions as we face the reality of increasingly frequent and severe weather events.
Despite the physical closure of these centers, FEMA stresses that assistance can still be accessed online, through their mobile app, or via their helpline. The aid available includes rental assistance and grants for home repairs. Applications can be made online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. FEMA also accommodates those who use video relay services or captioned telephone services by allowing them to provide their contact information for these services.
For more detailed information and updates, FEMA directs residents to their website at www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.
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