The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has directed more than $50 million to Midland and Gladwin counties for rebuilding after last year’s floods on the Tittabawassee River.
Communities in those counties flooded when four dams failed or were damaged after heavy rains last May. Almost 18 months later, some areas still haven’t been rebuilt.
The cost of just repairing the dams is expected to top $300 million -- several times the size of this $54.5 million grant allocated in a -- and that figure does not include the cost of resurrecting homes, parks and businesses that were leveled in the floods.
Nonetheless, “this is significant funding for Midland, Gladwin and the region,” said Republican state Rep. John Moolenaar, whose district covers the area that flooded.
“I know this funding will make a positive difference for the future of our region,” Moolenaar said.
The federal grant can be used for disaster relief, long-term recovery, infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization and environmental mitigation, the housing and urban development department said.
Local leaders have said they’re still pursuing more federal and state funding to cover the cost of rebuilding communities.