(WWJ) More information is coming to light about the impact of the massive flooding that hit the Detroit area, particularly Wayne and Washtenaw County, late last month.
The information was revealed in a 39-page letter Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent to the federal government seeking a presidential disaster declaration. In the letter, she said two people died as a result of the flooding: a DTE worker who touched a power line in Detroit and a Dearborn man, 87, who passed away after falling into his flooded basement.
In addition to the human toll, the flood is blamed on damaging some 23,000 homes. At least three state office buildings for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (MTMB) suffered damage totaling more $1.1 million dollars due to the "removal of contaminated materials."
The MTMB is currently assessing the full extent of the damage, according to the letter.
In Garden City, Garden City Hospital's basement also had severe flooding, hindering operations.
"This impacted its power supply and entry for ambulances, leading to the hospital operating on generator power and not being able to accept patients by ambulance for several days," the letter read.
The hospital's fire pump for the facility's sprinkler system, located in the basement, was also damaged. It has been fixed. However, hospital officials predict they won't be able to operate at full capacity for at least one to two months.
The Highland Park Police Department was displaced from its facility due to flooding.
Local, state and federal teams have been assessing damage in Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Dearborn and several other cities mainly in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
The Governor's request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency which will make a recommendation to the President.
A presidential declaration would allow for additional federal resources to be available to residents who suffered damage.
Forecasters say more than seven inches of rain fell on parts of the area on June 25th and 26th.
