UPDATE (Tues. at 1 p.m.): Gov. Rick Snyder granted a request Monday from Grand Traverse County to declare a disaster. The move opens up state resources to assist with debris cleanup.
Officials in Grand Traverse County are asking the state to help with storm recovery efforts. The county is calling on Governor Rick Snyder to declare a state of disaster and commit state resources to the cleanup effort.
Emergency Manager Gregg Bird says the county’s resources are stretched thin.
“Our county roads department is on mandatory overtime," says Bird. "Our city department of public service is hiring contractors as fast as they can and they even worked through the weekend. So we thought it was time to ask Governor Snyder to open up some resources for us.”
Bird hopes a disaster declaration from Snyder could also mean assistance from the federal government.
A preliminary estimate says the August 2nd storm will cost county residents $16 million.