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Flat Rock Gas Leak
Beginning in late August 2021, gas leaked from the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant into the city of Flat Rock's sanitary sewer system. This incident initially created the risk of explosion. Once that risk was abated, the concern became toxic substances affecting air quality. Evacuation was recommended for residents in the affected area known as Zone 1. Residents in an area known as Zone 2 were alerted that their community was, out of an abundance of caution, being monitored and support would be provided for Zone 2 residents who wished to evacuate.A unified command (UC) was established to best respond to the potential health threat created by the gas leak. The UC was made up of several partners including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the Wayne County Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Services (HHVS), and the City of Flat Rock as well as Ford Motor Company.The UC partners have flushed and jetted affected sewer lines and are analyzing testing data from sewer lines, on air quality in affected areas, and previously identified affected homes. The UC has also monitored water and soil in affected areas to ensure the gas leak did not affect their quality or pose a community health risk.
It will be communicated with affected residents and the larger Flat Rock community throughout the process as well as inform residents who chose to evacuate when they can return home.
Community Information Guide
Wayne County and our agency partners have identified questions asked by Flat Rock residents and compiled answers in a single, regularly updated document.
Info Guide
The Wayne County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have determined that Flat Rock's Zones 1 and 2 (with the exception of a small number of specific homes) are clear of any impact from the Ford plant gas leak and that nearly all residents who chose to evacuate can return home.
Press Release
Letter to Mayor
MDHHS Letter
The Flat Rock Re-Occupancy Plans explain the process that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and Wayne County Health Department (WCHD) are using to ensure it is safe for residents in areas of Flat Rock, MI to return to their homes after a gasoline release to the City's sanitary sewer system.
Re-Occupancy Plan