Why many people are being denied FEMA flood assistance? FEMA wanted us to do this story to clarify why people are being denied assistance after massive sewer backups and flood damage from last month. and last updated 2021-07-29 17:42:38-04 (WXYZ) â FEMA wanted us to do this story to clarify why people are being denied assistance after massive sewer backups and flood damage from last month. President Biden declared Wayne and Washtenaw Counties disaster areas clearing the way for federal assistance. Basements are the hardest hit. And thatâs where thereâs confusion. FEMA provides limited help. We did our first story on this with Danielle Ryan in Grosse Pointe Farms. She had insurance but it did not cover all of her damage and losses.