Widespread Flooding Continues Across Michigan as Rivers Crest
Rivers across Michigan continue cresting from heavy rainfall and snowmelt, forcing road closures and threatening structures in dozens of counties.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — Multiple flood warnings remain in effect across Michigan as rivers continue to crest from heavy rainfall and snowmelt, affecting dozens of counties and forcing road closures while threatening structures in low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for rivers spanning from the Upper Peninsula to southeastern Michigan, with conditions expected to persist through the week. The Saginaw River at Saginaw reached 18.9 feet at 11:00 AM Sunday, nearly two feet above the 17.0-foot flood stage, according to the NWS Detroit office.
“The river has crested and will continue to slowly fall this afternoon,” officials said. “It will then fall below flood stage late Tuesday morning.”
Northern Michigan Hit Hardest
The most severe flooding is occurring in northern Michigan counties, where existing water from heavy rainfall last week continues routing through streams, rivers and lakes. Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Missaukee and Wexford counties face flooding until Tuesday evening, with numerous roads remaining closed.
Communities experiencing flooding include Kalkaska, Sharon, Kingsley, Manton, Fife Lake, South Boardman, Morey, Spider Lake, Sigma, Darragh, Hannah and Smithville. Several structures are flooded and sand bagging operations continue in the affected areas.
In Manistee and Wexford counties, flooding affects Manistee, Eastlake, Brethren, Wellston, Dublin, Yuma, Parkdale, Orchard Beach State Park and Star Crossing. Water levels are gradually receding but continue flooding low-lying areas, creeks, streams and rivers.
Upper Peninsula Rivers Reach Critical Levels
The Upper Peninsula faces some of the most significant flooding, with the Paint River at Crystal Falls approaching record levels. At 10:10 AM Sunday, the river reached 8.7 feet, well above the 5.5-foot bankfull stage, with moderate flooding expected to continue until Wednesday morning.
“This approaches the flood of record,” the NWS Marquette office reported. At current levels, the parking lot of the roadside park upstream of M-69 is flooding, and waterfront park areas near the M-69 bridge in Crystal Falls are inundated.
The East Branch Escanaba River at Gwinn reached 9.3 feet Saturday night, causing moderate flooding that has inundated Peter Nordeen park on the right bank. The Middle Branch Escanaba River at Humboldt continues minor flooding, with County Road FX experiencing water levels that reach the bottom of the bridge.
In Marquette County, the Chocolay River near Harvey reached 10.9 feet Sunday morning, causing the fishing pier and parking lot near the M-28 bridge to go underwater. Timber Lane and Riverside Road may face closures, with homes along both roads experiencing extensive flooding.
Freeze Warning Adds Weather Concerns
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for southeastern Michigan from 11 PM Sunday to 11 AM Monday, with temperatures expected to drop as low as 23 degrees.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” officials warned.
The Menominee River system, which borders Michigan and Wisconsin, faces multiple flood warnings through the week. Near Niagara, the river reached 14.4 feet Sunday morning and is expected to crest at 15.0 feet Monday afternoon, which would reach the Aurora Fire Protection station.
Emergency management officials continue monitoring conditions across the state as water levels slowly recede. Most flood warnings extend through Tuesday, with some areas not expected to see relief until Friday evening.
