The water crisis in Flint, MI, hit new levels on Wednesday, as members of the National Guard arrived in the city to help distribute water supplies to local residents.The city has suffered for more than a year from dangerous levels of lead in its public water. The situation started in 2014, when Flint switched its public water supply from the Detroit water system to the local Flint River in an effort to save money. The river, historically polluted by industrial waste, produced water that was discolored and foul-smelling. More damningly, in September a report found that the levels of lead in young children's blood had more than doubled since the switch.
Despite enormous levels of outrage from residents, officials repeatedly insisted that the water was safe to drink. The crisis only came to national attention in mid-December, after Mayor Karen Weaver issued an official declaration of a state of emergency over the city's drinking water. In the statement, she called the situation a "man-made disaster" and the damage irreversible. Testing has found that the tap water is extremely contaminated with lead, which can cause serious brain damage, especially in children.
To add insult to literal injury, the city has started to send overdue payment notices that threaten to cut off water service. Flint is still charging residents for its toxic water.
Since Wednesday, National Guard members and FEMA have been in the city, dispersing supplies of bottled water and lead filters to citizens. The following images that have emerged — of uniformed troops bearing disaster supplies, of distraught citizens — show just how dire the situation has become.
A National Guard member carries bottled water for a Flint resident.
Thousands of bottles of water await distribution in a local warehouse. Researchers testing lead levels in the water have warned residents to only use tap water after filtering it extremely rigorously.
A member of the National Guard helps a Flint resident carry a case of water to her car.
The city's tap water is so discolored that it looks more like apple juice.
A Flint resident breaks down in tears outside a city council news conference. Residents were barred from attending the press conference, where Gov. Rick Snyder spoke about the crisis.
A shipment of bottled water arrives in Flint. The state has requested aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The state has been distributing free water filters to citizens as a temporary measure, while officials plan measures for making the local water supply safe again.
A member of the National Guard waits with a load of bottled water. City officials have warned residents of scammers who will try to sell filters and water bottles, which the city is giving away for free.
While the city claims that the water supply was adequately treated for safety, independent testing found lead levels as much as five times higher than what is considered safe, and in some cases several hundred times higher.
A 6-year-old girl gets tested for levels of lead in her blood. A study found that the levels of lead in the blood of young children had more than doubled since this city switched its water source.
A citizen carries a free water filter and case of bottled water.
A resident hugs a member of the National Guard in thanks for his aid.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Ted Cruz Wins Iowa Republican Caucus, Democratic Race Too Close To Call
Suspicious "Voting Violation" Mailings Hit Iowa
Meet The Bernie Sanders Supporter You NEED To Know