VASSAR, MI - Located in east central Michigan, the City of Vassar is 40 miles northeast of Flint. The City of Vassar is a small community that experiences repetitive flooding from the Cass River. For years, this strong-minded community had shrugged its shoulders at the flood situation. However, after repetitive flooding, the City realized that mitigation was the best solution to maintain the City's population and create a flood-resistant community.
As an initial mitigation measure, the City received Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) funding to develop a Flood Mitigation Plan. The City hired a consultant, and the plan was written in six months. The City Council adopted the plan by resolution on September 21, 1998.
The plan identified structures subject to repetitive flooding, and the City has now applied for additional FMA funding to acquire the identified structures. The new project will include the acquisition of about 10 properties in the floodplain. The City also plans to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to acquire four additional properties, totaling approximately $100,000. The additional benefit of the planning document is that it showed the City residents that teamwork and cooperation can result in desirable and effective mitigation measures.
Standard Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover flood damage. The National Flood Insurance Program makes Federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities.