The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Muskegon River.
Rainfall across the Muskegon River Basin, in combination with already high river levels due to recent wet weather, has resulted in further rising river levels. The Muskegon River at Newaygo and Bridgeton is expected to crest just above minor flood stage Friday and Saturday.
The NWS says minor flooding is anticipated at this time, but close monitoring will be necessary. The Muskegon River below Croton is at bankfull. The river has begun to exceed its banks and minor flooding is occurring in low lying areas along the river. Minor flooding of low lying areas along the river downstream from Croton is expected.
The following areas to be impacted by minor flood waters on the Muskegon River:
- Leisure Land Subdivision in Bridgeton Township
- Sycamore Flats in Ashland Township
- 100th Ave in Ashland Township
- Old Women’s Bend in Garfield Township
- Anderson Flat’s in Garfield Township
- Freight Hill in Bridgeton Township
It takes approximately 3.0 hours for water to flow from Croton to Newaygo and approximately 10.0 hours for water to flow from Croton to Bridgeton.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The NWS says to expect standing water in low lying and flood prone areas. Consumers Energy will issue a Condition C for flows greater than 7,000 cubic feet per second at the Croton Hydroelectric Dam.
This is a High Flow emergency condition to give notice to emergency officials of rising river levels. This does not indicate any issues or concerns with the operation of the hydroelectric facility.
PREPARE NOW
Watch for rapidly changing water levels. Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened. Residents within the areas anticipated to be impacted by flood waters may be directed to by public safety personnel to evacuate if a Flood Warning is issued.
Inside the House
- Shut and lock all windows and doors.
- Gather and elevate important documents, belongings, furniture, and other priceless items including pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and other valuables.
- Check your emergency preparedness kit and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate. This includes prescription medications.
- Prepare to unplug appliances and turn off your main breaker in your homes electrical box if you need to evacuate.
Outside
- Gather up items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, grills, etc.).
- Strap down propane tanks.
- Prepare to turn off propane tanks if you need to evacuate.
- Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
- Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
- Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened.
- Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.
Animals
- Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
- Check your emergency preparedness kit for your pets and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate.
- If you need to evacuate, take your pets with you.
FLOODING SAFETY
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.
- Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
- If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
ONLY CALL 9-1-1 TO REPORT EMERGENCIES! Emergency operators and phone lines are needed to support this incident, please continue to monitor Nixle for updates or call 2-1-1 (not 9-1-1) for general safety information.
Newaygo County Emergency Services is coordinating with Consumers Energy and the National Weather Service Grand Rapids Office to actively monitor the changing conditions and communicate information out to residences impacted by the rising floodwaters. As the situation changes, additional information will be released by the Newaygo County Emergency Operations Center via Nixle. Please visit http://www.nixle.com/ or text NewaygoES to 888777 to register for alerts and view emergency information for where you live.
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