[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DEVASTATING STORMS IN MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, yesterday I toured the Michigan 
communities of Walker and Merrill, two of the cities in Michigan which 
suffered considerable destruction from severe storms that swept through 
our State on Sunday. These storms devastated communities ranging from 
Grand Traverse County, which is up in the northwest part of our State, 
to Kalamazoo County, which is in the southwest part of our State, as 
well as from one side of the State, the west side, all the way across 
to Wayne County in southeastern Michigan.
  According to the latest count, four people were tragically killed as 
a result of these storms. Thunderstorms, with winds of more than 90 
miles per hour, knocked out power to over 860,000 homes and businesses. 
As of last night, more than 300,000 were still without power. School 
districts in Oakland and Macomb Counties closed schools because they 
had no power. In Walker, MI, which I visited, the local officials told 
me approximately 60 people had been injured. Estimates of the costs are 
still coming in. In the village of Spring Lake in West Michigan, for 
example, the village manager has estimated millions of dollars in 
private and public losses.

  Having seen firsthand the destruction wrought by this severe weather, 
I would like to say two things. First, as an elected official, I pledge 
to do everything I can to make available all possible resources of the 
federal government to those who need help. Second, as a citizen of 
Michigan, my thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of 
those who lost their homes, and especially those who lost their lives.
  Today I will contact with the head of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA). My first priority is to deliver to FEMA a 
damage assessment and formally request that the federal government move 
forward in helping these communities. In the difficult days ahead my 
offices in both Washington and Michigan will offer assistance to all 
who need help in the complex process of securing federal aid.
  While touring Walker and Merrill I witnessed awesome destruction; 
entire properties--farm barns and homes--were reduced to rubble by the 
forces of Mother Nature. However, the greatest impression left upon me 
came from talking with government officials, emergency workers, local 
volunteers and affected residents. Every individual I encountered 
exhibited the same optimistic determination to recover and to rebuild. 
It is my intention to make certain the federal government is a 
proactive partner in this effort.
  I yield the floor.

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