Flooding approaching record levels, possibly exceeding 2013 deluge

Feb. 23--IONIA COUNTY -- The Ionia County Health Department is encouraging residents to remember that, in addition to being an inconvenience, floodwaters can also pose a threat to health. Because of the large amount of rainfall and the recent snow melt, rivers, streams and creeks have risen and are causing flooding in numerous areas of the county.

Ionia County Emergency Manager and Ionia County Sheriff's Office Sgt. William Hoskins said although rivers were expected to crest at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, they appeared to have begun to level out as of 5:45 p.m. The National Weather Service is predicting that water levels should be stable until 1 a.m. Friday, "then we're hoping to see them slowly recede," Hoskins said. "It will go down slower than it went up."

The Ionia County Board of Commissioners declared a local state of emergency Thursday morning. The NWS in Grand Rapids is keeping areas along the Grand River in Ionia, Portland, Lowell, Grand Rapids, Ada, Lansing, Eaton Rapids and Jackson under a flood warning until 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26.

Water levels at Ionia, Ada, and the city of Grand Rapids will approach record levels and could possibly exceed them according to the NWS. Water levels along the Grand River are expected to approach or possibly exceed levels reached during the flooding in April 2013.

"Right now it's being handled locally, but if we need to request a governor's or presidential declaration of disaster, that helps us get in line for that funding and make sure things are being tracked accordingly," said Hoskins.

Hoskins has also been in touch with the weather service about rain predicted for this weekend.

"They're telling us any precipitation will be in quantities that should not affect the recession of the water or cause it to rise," he said. "It rose even faster than what they were forecasting and was very comparable to 2013 levels -- in the 24-foot area, which is almost right on the money."

According to Ken Bowen, the county's health officer, surface waters are exposed to many sources of contamination. During a flood event, sewage runoff and overflow from lakes, rivers and streams may carry bacteria such as E. coli and cholera, protozoa such as Giardia, and viruses such as hepatitis. If surface water enters your well, it may contaminate the water that you rely on for drinking.

The health department may issue a precautionary boil water notice through the local media, so Bowen encourages residents to watch television, listen to the radio and read the newspaper.

"If flood waters have reached your well, if you notice any change in appearance or taste of your water, or if you are just unsure about the safety of water in your area, you should boil all of the water you use for drinking, making beverages, cooking, brushing your teeth, washing dishes and washing areas of the skin that have been cut or injured," said Bowen.

The water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then cooled as necessary. Bottled water can also be used for all of these purposes.

Even after flooding has subsided, it is important to understand that if the well has been flooded, it is still unsafe because it may be contaminated, Bowen said. Residents and businesses must disinfect and then sample their well.

"Contact the health department for information on how to sample your water and where to take the sample for bacteriological testing," Bowen said. "The only way to be sure that your well water is safe to drink is to have it tested."

Wells are not the only risk. If the basement of a home or business has been flooded, here are some important safety tips for cleanup:

1. Make sure gas and electric are turned OFF. Do not go into a flooded basement with the electricity still on.

2. Keep everyone out of the flooded area. There may be RAW SEWAGE in the flood water, making it VERY HAZARDOUS.

3. Do NOT flush toilets. The contents of the toilet could end up in the flooded basement.

4. Wash your hands with clean or disinfected warm or hot water and plenty of soap. Be sure to wash under rings and under your fingernails.

5. Throw out ALL food and drinks that have been touched by flood water. NEVER taste food that has been exposed to flood water. If in doubt, throw it out.

6. Use flashlights, never lanterns, matches or lighters.

7. Wear rubber gloves and waders or boots.

8. Cover all open sores or cuts with an adhesive bandage.

9. Make sure that all windows are open to provide ventilation.

10. You may want to take pictures for insurance purposes.

11. Remove damaged items from the flooded area.

12. For cleaning and disinfecting instructions, visit cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater or call the health department.

For additional information about health dangers from flooding, contact the Ionia County Health Department at 616-527-5341.

Hoskins asks that any homeowner or business with flood damage to any of their structures or property, including basements and garages, contact him at 616-527-5619. Leave a message with the address of the business or residence that was damaged, if there were any wells affected, and your name and phone number. He will be sending out a damage assessment team in case state or federal funding is available.

Hoskins said of the 50-plus roads closed Wednesday night, about 20 remained closed as of Thursday evening. Those roads will be reopened when the water recedes and damage can be assessed. The bridge on M-21 over the Maple River remains closed.

"It may take a couple of days, because the water has to go down before MDOT officials can do a safety inspection on the bridge and reopen it," he said. "The road between Lyons and Muir is closed due to flooding, and the bridge in Muir is closed because of water levels and flooding on the prairie."

-- Follow this reporter on Twitter @KarenB_ISS.

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