MACKINAC ISLAND — Torrential rain and massive flooding in late June left many Detroit residents with damaged vehicles, waist-deep water in their basements, and sewage backups. For what he once described as a “1,000-year storm”, Detroit Water and Sewage Director Gary Brown finds himself at the Mackinac Policy Conference looking to talk less about flooding these days and more about infrastructure.
“We’re spending $100 million a year to rebuild the infrastructure,” said Brown. “When we had the big flood in June, I think it got missed that 90 percent of the city did not flood.” Brown refenced the recent 7-8inch rainfall and flooding along the east coast from the storm reminisce of hurricane Ida, saying Detroit similarly received just as much in a short period of time.
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“It was traumatic for the 10 percent of Detroiters that did flood, I don’t want to undermined that statement at all. It was horrible what happen to them and we have to make sure we have a system that is more resilient that it never happens again.”
Brown said between the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the Detroit Water and Sewage department, hundreds of millions of dollars is being spent to upgrade the very aged water system throughout the city. Brown who attends the annual Mackinac Policy Conference every year, is seeking to share the positive strives that are made, and also noted the fight he’s under to secure permanent funding sources, including financial aid from Washington to help low-income water customers.
Even as many residents are still reeling from the summer rains and flooding, even more rain is expected, about 6.5 inches over the next three days, which the GLWA is informing residents to be cautious of.
“The Authority is asking residents in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall to remain vigilant and out of an abundance of caution, to remove items of value from their basements. This request is being made of residents because, even without the potential power-related issues that have been identified, this rainfall may exceed normal design standards for the regional collection system,” the GLWA stated in a press release.
Also at Mackinac Policy Conference:
Governor Whitmer Announces Economic Goals
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced her MI New Economy Plan on the big porch of the Grand Hotel. Her plans calls for reaching a 60% goal of adults with some level of post-secondary education by 2030, pulling 100,000 families out of poverty over the next five years, accomplish being a top 10 state for small business growth, and rehabbing housing units.
“It’s a comprehensive vision for the state’s economy and a plan to meet the opportunity of this moment by growing the middle class by supporting small businesses and by investing in our communities,” she said.
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