Extensive Flooding in Lapeer County: State of Emergency

From: ClickOnDetroit.com

Some of the heaviest damage has been reported in the City of Lapeer. The Village of Almont also reported it could have as many as 10 homes flooded.

There have been reports of collapsed basements and flood damage to homes caused by the sudden rise in the Flint River.

Local 4 spoke to some Lapeer residents dealing with a variety of problems from the flood water.

“We were like, ‘what was that sound?’” said Brianne Summerfield.

The thunderous crash was the sound of Summerfield’s basement caving in.

“There was so much pressure between the ground and the rock that it just finally blew out,” said Summerfield.

Summerfield recently bought the home with her partner Traci Gibbs, now their basement is filled with rubble.

The cost of repairing the foundation is estimated to be $40,000. The couple is already running into problems with their insurance agency.

“They denied everything and somehow now we have to pay out of our own pockets,” said Gibbs.

Seth Groat watched in horror as water filled his basement. “It was actually coming from this crack,” said Groat pointing to a small slit between two bricks.

“It (water) was just like flowing into my basement,” Groat replied.

Family photos and furniture was destroyed, though the Groats have flood insurance.

Curtis Withrow is dealing with severe water damage in his garage after nine inches of water seeped through the door.

“It looked like a river had come through the garage,” said Withrow.

A declaration of a local state of emergency could help homeowners receive low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Residents are advised to call their township, village or city officials to report flood damage. Local officials will then compile the information and forward it to the state of Michigan.