Michigan crews are doing their part in helping with Hurricane Harvey relief. The U.S. Coast Guard's ninth district, which includes Michigan, deployed 38 personal, four air boats, and two helicopters to the Houston area over the weekend.
Lieutenant Ben Chamberlain is a Command Center Chief for the United States Coast Guard. He said it's not yet known how long crews will serve.
“There will be several phases to this response just because it's going to change in priority. After the initial search and rescue of picking up stranded people we’re going to shift our attention to the environmental impacts which are not yet measured”.
Chamberlain said an additional nine to eleven personnel are scheduled to leave to help with relief efforts.
“We are doing all that we can to contribute to this national level problem. But we also want to make sure that we have the personal that we’re not stretched too thin so that we can actually respond effectively for the local citizenry and make sure that we can get on scene where we’re needed”.
Chamberlain said Detroit stations which includes the Tawas and Saginaw River stations sent 12 of the 38 personnel and three of the four boats which were deployed.