Officials urge residents to prepare for possible flooding

Feb. 20--IONIA COUNTY -- With the county and parts of southern Michigan experiencing heavy rain and snow melt, the Ionia County Office of Emergency Management and the Michigan State Police are encouraging residents and visitors to prepare for the possibility of flooding.

According to the National Weather Service, up to two inches of rain has fallen on parts of southern Michigan and the forecast is for another two to three inches of rain through Thursday. Areas that could experience flooding include Ionia, Belding and Portland, as well as Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Portage, Jackson, Holland, Grand Haven, Charlotte, Albion, Mason, St. Johns, Hastings, Marshall, Eaton Rapids, Allegan, South Haven and Plainwell.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 20, flooding in Ionia County is expected to remain below 2013 levels, said Ionia County Sheriff's Office Sgt. William Hoskins, deputy emergency management coordinator for the county.

Hoskins said the Grand River in Ionia is currently at 14.4 feet, and is expected to crest Friday at 22.9 feet, "which is almost to a moderate flood stage of 23 feet." The record crest is 24.7 feet, he added.

"The problem is the future forecast shows another inch to inch and a half, and upwards of 2 inches in Jackson and Hillsdale, which drain into the Grand River basin and it's upstream from us," he said. "Flooding in the Looking Glass River in Eagle is at 8 feet, and it's expected to crest Friday at 11.4 feet -- a major flood is 11 feet. The Looking Glass dumps into the Grand River in Portland. As the river flows down, we encourage citizens to keep an eye on local levels of rivers and tributaries. If they have things stored near there, they may want to move items to higher ground."

The Looking Glass has already flooded a low area of Two Rivers Park in Portland, Hoskins said. The Flat River in Smyrna is at 4.7 feet, and is expected to crest Friday at 7.3 feet. "A minor flood stage there is 8.5 feet," he added.

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 U.S., according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Floods can be both damaging and life-threatening," said Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, deputy state director of emergency management and homeland security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. "Residents should take steps to prepare and stay safe. They should protect their property against any flooding hazards and check to ensure they are covered by insurance. When traveling, please be careful and do not drive through flooded roads."

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 Paul Spitzley said roads closed due to water include Charlotte Highway at Tupper Lake Road, Musgrove Highway, and Cassel, Elm, Midway and Goodwin roads.

"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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