As flood waters recede, rebuilding efforts are beginning in Midland with the help of city officials, debris collection crews and certified restoration companies.
Streets that were underwater are now lined with damaged household items as resident’s clear debris from their homes.
“In the hardest hit areas, you will see piles at the curb probably seven feet high,” Community Affairs Director Selina Tisdale said. “Couches, furniture, carpeting, basically people’s lives… Most of it can’t be salvaged because of the flood waters.”
Debris collection crews are patrolling areas in which flood damage has been reported to clear the piles from the curb. There is no restriction on items that are set out for flood debris collection. Residents are asked to place liquid items – paint cans, stain cans, etc. – into a box or other container if available and set it apart from other flood debris.
Residents who have not received flood damage to their home are asked not to set heavy items or brush out for collection until further notice. This is so collection crews can gather flood debris from the curbs efficiently. It is unknown at this time when regular heavy item collection will resume.
The Midland Sanitary Landfill is currently open during its regular operating hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday until further notice for residents with proof of Midland County residency to dispose of debris, trash, and yard waste.
The Midland Municipal Government said over 150 truckloads of debris has been taken to landfills in a Facebook post Wednesday morning.
“We’re doing our best to get them some relief from (the debris) and get that taken care of and taken to the landfill,” Tisdale said.
Restoration Companies
While debris is being taken from the curbs, restoration companies are beginning repairs to infrastructure.
Roger Thornton is the Marketing Manager of Hammer Restoration. He says hundreds of people are on a waiting list to begin restoring their homes. Hammer is almost exclusively working on commercial and municipal buildings.
“During the rest of the year, the phone rings and we’re there within an hour, that’s not the case now, there is a waiting list. If you have a chance to get somebody that’s reputable that’s from Michigan, get it dry.”
SERVPRO is another local restoration company. Residential and commercial account representative Shawn Weiss said SERVPRO teams have been helping residential areas with heavy basement flooding and removing contaminated liquids.
“We are doing our absolute best to get to people as quickly as possible,” Weiss said in an email. “With that being said we have received over 1200 calls. We have brought in storm teams from neighboring parts of Michigan and other states. We currently have 31 storm teams here in Midland trying to help the community get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
Building Permits
Fees will be waived for all City permits related to flood damage according to a Monday press release.
To schedule a building inspection or apply for a building permit related to the recent flooding event in the City of Midland, residents should call the Building Department at 989-837-3383 and leave a voicemail message regarding their project or email the appropriate staff member.
Individual inspectors can be reached as follows:
• Steve Taglauer, Chief Building Official – staglaue@midland-mi.org
• Mike Streeter, Electrical Inspector – mstreeter@midland-mi.org
• Jim Armstrong, Plumbing/Mechanical Inspector – jvarmstrong@midland-mi.org
For fire safety inspections and other plans related to fire safety, please contact Midland Fire Department Fire Marshal Tony Lelo at 989-837-3413 or alelo@midland-mi.org.
To find city building permit applications forms, building permit and inspection information, and more, please visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/building. For fire department permit and inspection information, visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/fire. Fees will be waived for all city permits related to flood damage.