City of Ferndale Issues Flooding Info: Claims, Trash & More
(City of Ferndale, Aug. 12, 2014)
City of Ferndale Declares State of Emergency
The Mayor of the City of Ferndale declared a State of Emergency today in response to the extreme flooding conditions that caused significant damage to City infrastructure, and residential homes and vehicles.
This declaration was on the heels of 4.57 inches of rain that poured into the streets and the basements of Ferndale residents in less than two hours. “Our primary concern is that everyone is safe, “said Dave Coulter, Mayor of Ferndale. “Now it’s time to start addressing the recovery, not only within our own City infrastructure but our resident’s homes and vehicles.”
The City infrastructure experienced intense flooding rendering many roads impassable, causing collapsing 
catch basins and severe road erosion. Multiple residents had intense flooding within their homes and some in their vehicles. Ferndale City Hall also had significant flooding impacting their phone system rendering the system virtually unusable and other damage throughout the basement of City Hall.
“Declaring a State of Emergency is the necessary step to offer the much needed support to our residents as well as with the needs of the City as an organization” stated April Lynch, City Manager. The City will work with Oakland County Homeland Security to prepare the paper work to be submitted to FEMA.
Ferndale City Hall was closed today in efforts to clean up the flooding and begin repairing the damage to the phone system. They will reopen on Wednesday however, phones will remain down through tomorrow, effecting City Hall, Public Works, Police Department and 43rd District Court.
Residents are encouraged to watch the City of Ferndale website for continuous updates at www.ferndalemi.gov.
City Garbage Pickup Routes Expanded Due to Monday’s Storm
City of Ferndale curbside garbage collection services remain on schedule this week following Monday 
evening’s storm. In addition, the city will offer a second curbside pickup day that will follow your regularly scheduled pickup day. For example, properties scheduled for Wednesday pickup will also receive another pickup on Thursday. This second consecutive pickup day applies to all properties that receive curbside collection services through the week.
Residents that miss their second opportunity for pickup (you can put trash out on both of your pick up days) will be allowed to drop off refuse at the SOCRRA Transfer Station located at 991 Coolidge, Troy (between 14 Mile and Maple, across from Meijer). SOCRRA hours of operation are Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. SOCRRA offices will accept flood related trash and refuse AT NO CHARGE for Ferndale residents only (please be prepared to show ID).
Residents With Flooded Basements
To address flooding issues, the City of Ferndale asks that you:
- Check with your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if coverage is provided;
- Preserve and protect your damaged property and take all necessary steps to reduce further damage;
- Review the following criteria established by Michigan Law, Public Act 170 of 1964, as amended by Public Act 222 of 2001, that must be met by persons seeking compensation for property damage:
- The City of Ferndale at the time of the event owned or operated, or directly or indirectly discharged into, the portion of the sewage disposal system that allegedly caused damage or injury.
- The sewage disposal system of City of Ferndale had a construction, design, maintenance, operation or repair defect.
- The City of Ferndale knew, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known, about the defect and failed to take reasonable steps in a reasonable amount of time to repair, correct or remedy the defect.
- The defect must be 50% or more of the cause of the event and the damage or injury.
If you believe your situation meets the above criteria, you have until September 25, 2014 to notify the City of your intent to file a claim. Please carefully read and follow these full instructions to do so.
Contact Cherilynn Brown, City Clerk, at cbrown@ferndalemi.gov with any questions, and be sure to leave your name, address and phone number.
City Hall Closed, How to Reach DPW
City Hall is without power and will be closed today. Emergency and DPW Crews will continue to respond to 
calls for service as soon as we are able. Since most of our DPW resources will be in the field, we encourage those who are able to submit storm related issues using the city’s website form at
http://www.ferndalemi.gov/Government/Departments/Public_Works
Those who wish to call DPW may call 248-546-2514.
We appreciate your patience and again thank our neighbors for helping each other out.
For more information on City of Ferndale see http://www.ferndalemi.gov/.
For other flooding stories see:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/12/the-day-after-the-flood-hard-work-loss-and-community-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/11/oakland-county-issues-floodwater-safety-precautions/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/11/oakland-county-pounded-by-rain-swamped-with-flooding/
