Karen Weaver

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Karen Weaver has declared a state of emergency in Flint, saying the city needs federal help to deal with its lead in water crisis.

"I am requesting that all things be done necessary to address this state of emergency declaration, effective immediately," Weaver told the City Council today, Dec. 14.

The new mayor asked that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners call a special meeting to take action to support her declaration, that it be forwarded to Gov. Rick Snyder, and potentially President Obama.

The end result of the resolution is not known, but Weaver said the city can't expect further help from the federal government without it.

"Do we meet the criteria (for a disaster area)? I don't know," Weaver said. "I'm going to ask and let them tell us no."

Flint is in a public health emergency, declared by Genesee County, because of rising levels of lead in water and in the blood of children after the city changed its water source to the Flint River from April 2014 until October.

The county declaration came after a Hurley Medical Center doctor's study showed the percentage of Flint infants and children with above-average lead levels nearly doubled citywide, and nearly tripled among children in "high risk" areas of lead exposure.

City officials have also said the use of corrosive Flint River water also damaged Flint's water infrastructure after state regulators never required the river water be treated to make it less corrosive.

Council members were divided in their opinion about what the declaration will mean.

"What this does is help position us as a community to show ... that we need resources in our community," said Councilman Scott Kincaid. "(It allows for us) to apply for state and federal funds. We have to prove ... that we need resources."

Councilman Josh Freeman said he doesn't want residents to expect immediate help with the city's water infrastructure, including lead service lines, because of the declaration.

"We need to find a way to actually fix the problem," Freeman said. "This declaration does not (fix the problem)."

Weaver's resolution says the damage done to Flint children because of lead exposure is irreversible, creating the need for increased spending on special education and mental health services and increased stress on the juvenile justice system.