Volunteers Needed for Flood Cleanup Efforts; Thousands of Residents

Need Assistance Removing Damaged Belongings

Contact: See contact information below.


News Release No. 9 August 28, 2014 3 p.m.
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), the State of
Michigans lead agency on volunteerism, is looking for volunteers to help Southeast Michigan
residents clean up damaged homes after the Aug. 11 torrential rain and flooding. Volunteers can
sign up by going to semichiganflood.givegab.com or calling 2-1-1.
The MCSC has collected information from thousands of Michiganders across Macomb, Oakland and
Wayne counties who have requested volunteer assistance to remove damp belongings, eliminate
odors, and remove moldy drywall and paneling. The commission is working with several volunteer
organizations to help numerous familiesincluding the elderly and people with functional needs
but there has been a shortage of local volunteers to provide assistance.
While the flood didnt last long, it left behind houses damaged by sewage and dirty water; in some
cases the water was two feet deep or more in basements, said Ginna Holmes, executive director of
the MCSC. This damage cant typically be seen on the outside, but many residents cannot currently
live in their homes due to the mold, smell and unsanitary conditions. We are asking for any and all
volunteers to give a few hours of time to get our neighbors back in their homes quickly and safely.
Prospective volunteers can also visit a Volunteer Reception Center to sign up to help from 7:30 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, at Starr Presbyterian Church, 1717 W. 13
Mile Road, in Royal Oak. Volunteers are asked to come prepared to be immediately sent to a work
site and have closed-toe shoes, work clothes and work gloves.
Residents still needing volunteer cleanup assistance are asked to call 2-1-1 to be connected with
volunteers or fill out an assistance form at www.michigan.gov/miflood. A Recovery Coordination
Center has been established by the MCSC in partnership with local emergency managers and the
State of Michigan to organize all of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster groups that have
responded to the disaster and match them with the residents needing assistance and the volunteers
who have signed up to help.



About the MCSC
The MCSC builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities
through volunteerism. Signature programs include AmeriCorps, Mentor Michigan, Volunteer
Michigan and the Governors Service Awards. The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of
Human Services, whose mission is to improve the quality of life in Michigan by providing services to
vulnerable children and adults that will strengthen the community and enable families and individuals
to move toward independence.

About the Disaster
Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster on Aug. 13 for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne
counties. By declaring a "state of disaster," the state of Michigan will make available all state
resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the disaster area as outlined in
the Michigan Emergency Management Plan. Snyder's declaration authorizes the Michigan State
Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state
efforts.
The public is encouraged to monitor local media for up-to-date disaster information. For updated
information and safety tips, follow the MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS or go
to www.michigan.gov/miflood.

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is the emergency operations center for the state of
Michigan. Located in Lansing, the SEOC is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD and coordinates response
and recovery efforts by state agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of
state agencies for decision making and information coordination during disasters or emergencies in
the state of Michigan.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jessi Adler
MCSC Communications Director
Office: (517) 335-1013
Cell: (517) 230-9923
adlerj@michigan.gov
State Emergency Operations Center
Public Information Officer
(517) 324-2304
msp-seocpio@michigan.gov