DETROIT (WWJ) -- New information is becoming available on just how many Detroit homes suffered flood damage over the past week.
The city's Water and Sewerage Department has had reports of 4,800 homes with water in the basement, and more than 20,000 calls related to the storm that the area last Friday night and Saturday morning.
Detroit mayor Mike Duggan says the flooding that occurred in the city over the weekend is worse than what happened in 2014.
The mayor toured some of the flood areas on Wednesday, writing on Twitter that the loss of belongings and family memories is heartbreaking.
Duggan also plans to announce a major expansion of the city's cleanup effort today. Earlier this week, he asked for volunteers to work four hour shifts to assist homeowners who need help clearing and cleaning their basements.
Meanwhile, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Mayor Duggan are seeking a federal disaster declaration as soon as possible. FEMA has agreed to send investigators to the city and other parts of Wayne County as early as next week to start assessing damage and gathering information.
“If the president declares a major disaster, FEMA funds are unlocked, and what that means is, that individuals who lost property, who had damage to their homes, can get a significant amount of federal reimbursement,” Duggan said. "The major disaster declaration is what triggers your individual help in your home."
Volunteers will start today helping seniors and disabled people remove items from their flooded basements and put the items at the curb for DPW to pick up.
Clean-up kit distribution will also begin today at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Patton Recreation Center and the Samaritan Center.
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