Researchers found Detroit would likely suffer more fatalities than either Atlanta or Phoenix during a heatwave when power remained on, in part because of limited access to air conditioning.
State and federal officials noted plans are in motion to rein in the estimated 72,000 gallons per day of contaminated wastewater flowing into the Detroit River upstream of Wyandotte’s drinking water intake.
Advocates in Detroit believe resistance to changing the state’s permitting process is likely to repeat itself in Detroit, where residents have concerns about the health impacts from the Stellantis expansion.
“Climate gentrification” in cities like New Orleans and Miami has seen wealthier and whiter residents displace low-income residents and people of color in less flood-prone areas. But in Jefferson Chalmers, climate gentrification could mean that those with the resources to manage the risks and expense of living in a floodplain may replace those without them.
Throughout the Great Lakes region, archaic wastewater systems, crumbling infrastructure and segregated housing create a perfect storm of flooding vulnerability.