Flint Water Contamination Update: President Obama Issues Disaster Declaration For Michigan

President Barack Obama Saturday signed a disaster declaration for Michigan because of the contamination of Flint’s water supply. The declaration directs the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts.

Observers blame the state’s takeover of the financially troubled city of nearly 100,000 for the contamination, caused by the corrosion of pipes. The state largely ignored complaints about the water until late last year.