By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — Local elected officials will host a town hall regarding the ongoing Ecorse Creek flooding concerns and flood mitigation project Feb. 19.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also will attend to answer questions by those in attendance during the public forum scheduled for 6 p.m. at Annapolis High School, 4650 Clippert.
Input, including thoughts, ideas and concerns on the flooding issue from residents is being encouraged from the public.
The conversation with engineers and elected officials aims to help residents learn about efforts to reduce flooding caused by large amounts of precipitation that fell over the last year.
Most recently, Dearborn Heights residents woke up to almost four inches of rain overnight from April 30 to May 1 with flooding in the Ecorse Creek Watershed and other parts of the city.
Mayor Daniel Paletko asked the governor’s office to declare a state of emergency so residents could get Federal Emergency Management Agency relief.
On May 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans declared a state of emergency in Wayne County, making additional resources available to the approximately 3,000 damaged homes.
Fire Chief Dave Brogan reported that the department helped several people with medical problems or physical limitations trapped in their houses.
In 2016, the city was awarded a $2.8 million grant to purchase and demolish houses in the Ecorse Creek flood zone after applying for it in 2014.
Houses adjacent to and near the creek were replaced with “natural wildflowers with extensive root systems to help them serve as mini “detention basins” to help improve the absorption of flood waters during future incidents,” the city’s press release said. “Under the grant guidelines, homes must be demolished within 90 days of turning them over to the city’s ownership.”
For more information on the Ecorse Creek town hall call 313-463-6220.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])