Flint Keeps Water Flowing While Heat Index Tops 100

Flint residents who have fallen behind on their water bills are getting a temporary break as dangerous heat settles over Mid-Michigan.

Extreme Heat Scorches Mid-Michigan

With temperatures climbing close to 100 degrees and the heat index soaring above 100, the City of Flint has announced it is temporarily suspending residential water shutoffs while the current extreme heat warning remains in effect.

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Mayor Sheldon Neeley announced the decision Wednesday after temperatures reached 98 degrees with a feels-like temperature of 109 degrees. Forecasters are also calling for additional 90-degree days before the heat wave finally breaks.

Why Flint Is Suspending Water Shutoffs

Neeley says access to water becomes even more critical during periods of dangerous heat, and the temporary suspension is intended to protect the health and safety of Flint residents.

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The mayor is also encouraging everyone to drink plenty of water, spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible, and check on elderly neighbors, family members, and anyone else who may be be especially vulnerable during the extreme temperatures.

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Once the National Weather Service lifts the current heat warning, the city says standard water shutoff procedures for overdue accounts will resume.

Where Flint Residents Can Cool Off

Residents looking to escape the heat can visit several cooling centers throughout the city. The dome at Flint City Hall, located at 1101 S. Saginaw Street, is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Three additional community centers are also serving as cooling centers from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.:

• Haskell Community Center
• Mays Senior & Community Center
• McKinley Community Center

When Water Shutoffs Will Resume

This suspension is only temporary. Flint ended its pandemic-era moratorium on residential water shutoffs in 2022 and has since resumed collections on chronically overdue accounts. For now, however, city officials say keeping water flowing during this stretch of dangerous heat is the safest course of action until temperatures return to more normal levels.