FEMA Awards Nearly $1Million to Community Impacted by Dam Failure

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $931,930 to the village of Sanford for the acquisition and demolition of 14 homes that were damaged following the Sanford  and Edenville dam breaks in May 2020. Located in the floodplain of the Tittabawassee River, this area is susceptible to recurring flooding unless mitigation measures are taken. To reduce the community’s flood vulnerability and mitigate risk to life and property, these structures will be removed from the flood hazard area, and the location will be reverted to open space maintained by the city.

Moises Dugan, acting regional administrator for FEMA Region 5 said “The damage sustained from the dam breaks in Midland and Gladwin Counties, was substantial and this project will increase the community’s resilience to future flooding.”

Capt. Kevin Sweeney, commander of Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security division said “The Sanford community is still dealing with some of the devastating impacts of the floods nearly two years ago. We are grateful to our federal partners for their continued efforts to help the community recover and become more resilient.”