FLINT, MI - Gov. Rick Snyder has asked President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency in response to Flint's water crisis.
The announcement came late Thursday, Jan. 14, and clears the way for expanded federal assistance in addressing the city's water troubles.
"We are utilizing all state resources to ensure Flint residents have access to clean and safe drinking water and today I am asking President Obama to provide additional resources as our recovery efforts continue," Snyder said in a release announcing the decision.
The governor's request includes federal individual and public assistance to help eligible residents and state and local government entities in response to the crisis.
Possible federal assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, according to the announcement from Snyder's office.
Assistance could also help cover some of the costs associated with damage to public facilities and infrastructure, including city schools and the water system.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will review the request and advise the president. The decision to provide federal assistance will ultimately be left to Obama.
Snyder declared a state of emergency on Jan. 5 for Genesee County, following the county's local emergency declaration on Jan. 4.
The water crisis emerged more than a year ago after the city switched water sources in April of 2014. The switch was eventually linked to elevated blood lead levels in some of the city's youngest residents.
Snyder activated the National Guard on Tuesday to help assist in water distribution efforts around the city.
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Virginia Tech university professor who spent months studying Flint's water problems says the failure to treat Flint River water to make it less corrosive could have set off an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease here.
Snyder announced the outbreak Wednesday, Jan. 13, during a press conference with the state's top health officials.
From June 2014 to November 2015, 87 cases were confirmed in Genesee County. Ten of those were fatal.
Officials said there's no evidence of a clear link between the outbreak and the water system change.