After main break, Grand Rapids looks to set up emergency fund for residents

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The city of Grand Rapids is looking to create a new community emergency fund for disaster relief.

The proposal comes after flooding from a water main break on June 13 damaged about 15 homes near Philadelphia Avenue SE and Adams Street SE.

The water flowed down a hill, causing major flooding at the bottom.

“Our driveway was a river basically,” said homeowner Jay Bolt. “Our flooring had to get ripped out, all the carpet … we had to hire companies to come try and treat for mold in the basement.”

The city of Grand Rapids denied claims for damage , citing governmental immunity.

Bolt’s homeowners’ insurance would not cover the damage because it was caused by flooding.

“The water was dripping through the windows, there’s cracks in the windows, so it was like coming down our wall and getting to the carpet,” Bolt said.

His car insurance covered the family’s two cars that were totaled from water damage.

Bolt and a group of neighbors are taking legal action to recoup the costs.

“Hopefully we can come to an agreement that we can both be happy with,” Bolt said.

In an open letter to community leaders, Grand Rapids Fire Chief Brad Brown, who oversees emergency management, is calling for a new community disaster relief fund to provide help in cases that do not qualify for special assistance.

“The federal government has thresholds for funding. The state has thresholds for funding but many times there’s emergencies that fit within this gray area, if you will, and we really don’t have a lot of tools at our disposal to help those residents,” Brown said.

The fund would be made up of donations administered by a community organization like the United Way .

“There are many communities across this country and within our state that have established resiliency funds that help in certain situations,” Brown said.

One of those funds is in Kalamazoo County and was used to raise money to help people with tornado damage .

The city is not commenting specifically on the residents’ legal fight but say talks are ongoing.

“We’re just looking at how can we help these residents. This has nothing to do with the legalities of the situation and frankly, this is probably long overdue to look at a different solution to these problems,” Brown said.

Families left with the bill are trying to stay hopeful they will be able to receive assistance.

“A lot of us are just sitting on things that need to be fixed we just don’t have the money for it right now,” Bolt said.

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