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Wednesday's storms cause heavy flooding in Allegan Co.

A Tornado Watch was issued across a chunk of West Michigan, but has since been cancelled after a round of thunderstorms. Allegan County is feeling the effects.

PLAINWELL, Mich. — In Allegan County, there was a lot of flooding in the City of Plainwell Wednesday.

Wednesday was a "Weather Aware" day across West Michigan with the possibility of severe weather.  

A Tornado Watch was issued across a chunk of West Michigan, but has since been cancelled after the morning round of thunderstorms.  

Gery Bentley has owned Dean's Ice Cream in Plainwell for 35 years.

"It was an actual full-fledged dairy at one point in time," he said. "They just made their own ice cream at that time and we still do that." 

Being right on the Kalamazoo River, an old tradition began to put on display pictures of the height of the river over the years.

"You can see where that train sits on the trestle or used to when it still running through here."

The height of the river Wednesday isn't anywhere near where Bentley has seen it in the past.

At Fannie Pell Park, the city had to shut down a portion of the riverwalk because the Kalamazoo River flowed over its banks.

Allegan County Emergency Management was monitoring the severe weather throughout the day.

Several photos of more flooding were taken at New Richmond Park and 35th Street and 139th.

"The area of concern we're seeing right now is any hail or wind damage that might be coming in so on our social media we posted a link to a self reporting survey that any citizen can use at their business or home so we're aware of the damage occurring and we can send resources," said Sarah Clark, Emergency Management Coordinator. 

Thankfully, Bentley never has to worry about his shop going underwater.

"It never gets up into our parking lot or anything," he says.

Emergency officials will continue to monitor the rising flood conditions throughout the county.  

    

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