As floodwaters recede across parts of northern Michigan, people in the city of Cadillac are stuck in limbo as rising water levels continue to damage property and prevent recovery efforts.
Wednesday night, government and public safety officials hosted a town hall in Cadillac to update residents on response efforts and next steps to recovery. The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and other aid agencies were also present at the meeting to distribute aid and answer questions from impacted residents.
"I've never seen flooding like this in Cadillac," Michigan State Police Lt. Michael DeCastro said during the meeting. He's been a part of the Cadillac community for decades.
Recent heavy rainfall, snowmelt and oversaturated social are to blame for the flooding. Water levels in Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell have shattered previous record-highs, and the flooding hasn't stopped yet.
Erik King is the Wexford County emergency manager. He said because flooding remains ongoing, there isn't much residents can do besides report any damage to their property.
"There's many residents with water in their basements," King said. "Some houses have been completely flooded up to their window sills on their first floor. So, completely devastating circumstances."
The meeting also included a question and answer portion, where impacted residents could share their stories and get help in navigating the devastation.
King said relief efforts are still in the "response" phase and they county can't begin to focus on recovery efforts until the flooding ceases, which will likely take weeks or even months.
Susan Giftos manages a Cadillac Facebook group focused on sharing information regarding flood relief resources, including places displaced people can stay, where to pick up free cleaning supplies and other important information from law enforcement.
She said she's seen the impacts of the floods' devastation firsthand, and said victims are in need of more than just sandbags and water pumps.
"We're seeing a lot of fear, a lot of worry, a lot of indecision," Giftos said. "We're seeing actually a big need for some crisis intervention or grief counseling."
As people wait for the water to dry up, Giftos encourages those impacted by the flooding to look to these resources:
- Self-Reporting Damage Assessment Tool
- American Red Cross, (800)-733-2767
- Cadillac Salvation Army, (231)-775-7131
- Love INC, (231)-779-1888
- Wexford County Emergency Management, (231)-775-7602
- Cadillac Area Flood Response and Resources Facebook Group
- City of Cadillac, (231)-775-0181
Residents experiencing issues with gas or electric should contact Consumers Energy and DTE.
Owners of private wells that were overtaken by floodwater should consult with the local health department to ensure the safety of their water.
