Officials urge residents to prepare for possible flooding
According to the
As of Tuesday afternoon,
Hoskins said the
"The problem is the future forecast shows another inch to inch and a half, and upwards of 2 inches in
The Looking Glass has already flooded a low area of
While flooding is most prevalent near low-lying areas and bodies of water, it can occur almost anywhere, including near small streams, creeks and even basements. Flash floods are the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths in the
"Floods can be both damaging and life-threatening," said Capt.
Hoskins also urged drivers to beware of flooded roads.
"Most of the frost is now out of the ground, which has contributed to the high water flow, because we went from all that snow to rapid snow melt to rain, and none of it is able to penetrate the ground so it has flowed into streams and rivers," he said.
Ionia County Road Commission Engineer
"Some are water over the road, and some are roads washed out all together," said Spitzley, who was out driving Tuesday afternoon compiling a list.
The MSP offers these tips for staying safe in a flood:
During a Flood
Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Disconnect all electrical equipment.
Do not walk through moving water. Six inches is enough water to knock you down.
Listen to local media reports for information on whether the water supply is safe to drink.
Avoid contacting flood waters because they can be contaminated by hazardous liquids and may contain sharp debris.
Report and stay 25 feet away from downed power lines.
Driving in Flood Conditions
Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles.
Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickups trucks.
Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped.
Do not drive around a barricade. Barricades are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.
Do not try to take short cuts--they may be blocked. Stick to designated routes.
Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
In addition to flooding preparedness, residents are encouraged to purchase flood insurance. Homeowners' or property owners' insurance does not typically cover flood damage.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) estimates that 90 percent of all natural disasters involve flooding. An inch of water can require a property owner to replace carpet, drywall, floor boards, moldings, doors and other belongings. Additionally, clean-up of mud and residue can be costly, as can repairing any mold and mildew damage that may occur.
For more information about what to do before, during and after flooding, go to www.michigan.gov/miready.
-- Follow this reporter on Twitter @KarenB_ISS.
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