Twelve years after toxic water flooded Flint's pipes, the Michigan city still bears the physical and emotional scars of one of America's worst environmental disasters. 💧⚠️
Residents recall 2014's fateful switch to Flint River water – a cost-cutting move that exposed 100,000+ people to lead poisoning and Legionnaires' disease. 'My son's skin literally peeled off,' one mother told reporters, describing horrors that persist through 2026.
Despite $600M+ in settlements since 2020, many argue systemic neglect continues. 'We still check every glass,' says local activist Jamal Carter, 29. 'Trust takes generations to rebuild.'
With 74,000 lead pipes still needing replacement nationwide, Flint's crisis remains a cautionary tale for infrastructure reform. 🏗️🔧
