In response to recent severe flooding in mid-Michigan, the ad hoc Michigan High Water Action Team has scheduled a webinar Wednesday, July 8, for residents who are recovering from the event and its aftermath.

State, federal and local officials on the webinar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. will provide residents a basic overview of recovery services and activities. After the presentations, there will be time for attendees to ask questions. The webinar will not address the ongoing investigations into the causes behind the area dam failures or the still undecided long-term plans for the failed dams and drained lakes.

Those making presentations and available to answer questions are staff from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Michigan State Police (MSP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local emergency management offices.

To attend the webinar you can register ahead of time or sign on just before it begins. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to join the meeting. You can also use a phone to listen to the webinar by calling 415-930-5321 and using access code 411-703-533. However, those accessing the webinar by phone will not be able to ask questions due to technological limitations.

Recordings from the two previous Michigan High Water Action Team webinars – March 26, which explained high water impacts around the state, and Apr. 28, which addressed shoreline erosion and permitting – have been posted to Michigan.gov/HighWater.

The multi-agency Michigan High Water Action Team was one of the outcomes of the Michigan High Water Coordinating Summit in February, which brought together state, federal and local officials, as well as representatives from tribal governments and groups that represent local units of government. Along with organizing town halls, the team will also collaborate to identify available assets that can be marshalled in response to high water incidents and coordinate communications across agencies and governments to ensure residents receive information in a timely, accurate and consistent fashion.

More information on high water levels, fact sheets, FAQs, a link to the MiWaters permit portal, safety information and resources for permit holders can be found at Michigan.gov/HighWater.