Tornado and storm damage survey continues in Canton

Members of the Canton Township Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program, as well as township staff and elected officials, are continuing the door-to-door damage assessments in neighborhoods affected by the severe weather last week. The information will be provided to the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Michigan State Police.  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency and Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak has declared a local state of emergency.

Canton residents who experienced damage to their homes due to the recent high-impact storms who have not already participated in the door-to-door damage assessment are encouraged to submit a self-reporting survey with photos to help assess the damage throughout the township, which is available online at: https://arcg.is/10ab1j. These damage assessments were created by the State of Michigan in the wake of the storms to assist with accurate reporting of damage statistics. These township assessments are independent of insurance adjustments and affected property owners should contact their insurance provider to make insurance claims.

"The purpose of these visits and the online survey is to solely conduct damage assessments on behalf of Canton Township to assist with providing the total damage assessment numbers to the State of Michigan," stated William Hayes, Canton Township emergency manager. "All of the information gathered in these reports helps the state to determine if a presidential declaration is warranted potentially opening up other avenues of disaster assistance." 

Members of the Canton CERT volunteer program and township staff will have proper identification, including bright uniform vests. Credentials will be available upon request. Canton residents are being asked to answer the damage assessment questions as accurately as possible and to provide any necessary information to help evaluate the extent of the damage in our neighborhoods. 

Residents who may need assistance clearing their homes of flooded material or need assistance with debris removal, as well as tree and limb removal from the recent storms, are encouraged to contact 2-1-1 for assistance. 2-1-1 Michigan is available 24/7/365 and can offer a host of assistance to residents in need. Requests can also be made online at mi211.org.

Should questions arise during or after these short visits, residents are asked to call the Canton non-emergency dispatch at (734) 394-5400 for additional information. 

For additional information about the door-to-door damage assessments, visit www.canton-mi.org.