In her first interview since touring the area of Midland County that was devastated by flooding, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says our state's crumbling infrastructure is to blame for the collapse of two dams in Central Michigan.

"This was an old dam, this was a dam that we are currently in legal wranglings of it, and so the lack of investment has come to show that these fundamental infrastructure things are important," the Governor said on CBS This Morning. "As a nation, this is something that is not unique to Michigan, but the pain certainly is."

Whitmer went on to indicate she will hold responsible parties accountable for the damage and that the state is currently working to help displaced homeowners get back on their feet.

Cars 108 logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Addressing President Trump's threat to withhold federal funding for Michigan, Whitmer called the move a distraction, saying it's "ridiculous."

"Threatening to take money away from a state that is hurting as bad as we are right now is just scary, and I think something that is unacceptable," she said. "My hope is that today he will be in Michigan and he will see we are hard-working, good Americans and we need the support of our federal government as much as anyone else, if not more right now."

The governor brought a bit of levity to the interview when she diplomatically fielded a question about her interest in becoming Joe Biden's running mate.

"I have my hands full in Michigan," she said referring to the coronavirus pandemic and the recent flooding. "It's an honor to be included among this incredible group of leaders that they're talking to and I'm not going to say more than that," she said with a subtle laugh.

 

READ MORE: Inspiring Stories From the Coronavirus Pandemic

More From Cars 108