Tag Archives: Thornapple River

‘Use common sense,’ officials say as rivers continue to rise

February 23, 2018Citizen JournalismBarry County, Caledonia Fire Department, Kent County, Kent County Emergency Management, Thornapple RiverJoanne

The Middleville dam has failed, releasing additional water downstream. The river will continue to rise through tonight.

Early this morning the Kent County Sheriff’s Marine Division assisted Plainfield Township in rescuing a resident on Willow Drive NE. The resident was rescued safely. More than 100 residents in Kent County have evacuated their homes this week due to rising floodwaters. Don’t wait until it’s too late to leave a dangerous situation. The staff from Kent County Emergency Management is asking residents facing safety issues over floodwaters to determine if there is a safety issue in your home, and if so, to self-evacuate and call for help if you need it.

“Use good sense and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” said Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Stewart. “If you feel you are in a dangerous situation, evacuate immediately. If you need assistance leaving, call 911. Do not try to ‘ride it out’ if there is a potential for injury.” Stewart adds that if you live in a flood-prone area, have an evacuation plan. Be sure you have a preparedness kit with a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies and cash. Put all medications and important documents where they are easily accessible if you need to leave immediately. Make sure you communicate your whereabouts with loved ones.

This morning Barry County informed Kent County officials that the spillway of the Middleville dam on the Thornapple River has failed and released additional water downstream. Caledonia Fire Department will be monitoring the Thornapple and reporting changes to staff at Emergency Management. Residents throughout Kent County can obtain updates about flooding along with information and fact sheets at www.accesskent.com/News/flood.

Grand Rapids Fire Chief John Lehman is reminding the community to stay away from the water’s edge.

“The river is moving at a dangerous clip,” Chief Lehman said. “We are asking the community to keep a safe distance from the river to ensure everyone’s safety.” For updates on river conditions and the City’s response, visit www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Home/Emergency-Announcements/Important-Weather-Update. Grand Rapids residents with concerns about the water levels and questions may call the City’s 311 Customer Service at 311 or 616-456-3000.

Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) reminds residents and motorists experiencing an emergency situation on roadways to call 911. KCRC will respond as directed by law enforcement. KCRC will update road closures twice a day: after 9:00 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m. on their website at www.kentcountyroads.net/news/entry/flooding-information, as well as the KCRC Facebook and Twitter pages. Please slow down and heed road warnings and closures.

KCRC Roads Closed Due to Water over Road (February 23, 2018 at 9:15 a.m., subject to change)

Ashley (5 Mile Rd to 6 Mile Rd)

Summit (12 Mile Rd to 13 Mile Rd)

Friske (12 Mile Rd to Rector)

Whipple (Shaner to Myers Lake)

Ashley Ave (7 Mile Rd to M-44)

Reeds Lake Blvd (East Beltline Ave to Manhattan)

Division Ave (7 Mile Rd to 8 Mile Rd)

Konkle (east of Jupiter)

Indian (off West River)

River Point (off Indian)

Abrigador Trail (off West River)

Abrigador Trail (off West River Center)

Willow (off 4 Mile Rd)

Willow (off Canright)

Willow (off Bailey Park)

Walnut Park (off Northland Dr)

Shady Dr (off Knapp St)

Forest Ridge (off Coit Ave)

Michigan St (Twin Lakes Ave to Crahen)

60^thSt (Bancroft to M-50)

60^thSt (Pratt Lake Ave to Montcalm Ave)

64^thSt (East of Pratt Lake Ave)

Wingeier Ave (64^th St to 68^th St)

Pratt Lake Ave (64^th St to 68^th St)

Montcalm Ave (Flat River Dr to Covered Bridge Rd)

68^thSt (Wingeier to Pratt)

Jackson St (M-21 to Oberley Dr)

Grand River Dr (Jackson St to Montcalm Ave)

Riverbend between Butterworth and Veterans Dr (City of Walker)

White Street west of Franklin Avenue and Division Avenue (City of Grandville)

National Weather Service River Warnings

(February 23, 2018 at 8 a.m.; subject to change)

Thornapple River Near Caledonia: through Monday morning. Thursday the stage was 10.8 feet. Flood stage is 10.0 feet. The river will continue rising to near 12.0 feet by after midnight tonight. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday.

Grand River in Ada: through Tuesday night. Thursday the stage was 20.2 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet. Moderate flooding expected, with levels to rise above flood stage by this evening and continue to rise to near 22.5 feet Saturday. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday afternoon.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: through Wednesday afternoon. Thursday the stage was 16.7 feet (flood stage is 18.0 feet). The forecast calls for the river to rise above flood stage after midnight tonight and continue to rise to near 21.5 feet Sunday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by Wednesday morning.

Grand River at Comstock Park: until further notice. Thursday the stage was 14.6 feet (flood stage is 12.0 feet). The river is expected to rise to 17.8 feet by early Saturday afternoon with additional rising possible thereafter. Approximately 100 homes in Comstock Park and Plainfield Township are impacted at this time.

Grand River at Lowell: through Wednesday afternoon. Thursday the stage was 15.9 feet; flood stage is 15.0 feet. Moderate flooding is expected as the river will continue rising to near 18.4 feet by tonight. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday.

National Weather Service extends flood warnings, many area rivers continue to rise

February 22, 20183-bottomflooding, grand river, Kent County Road Commission, Thornapple RiverJoanne

The Grand River continues to rise with it expected to reach 21 feet. Flood stage for the Grand River is 18 feet in Grand Rapids.

The National Weather Service has extended flood warnings this morning for the Grand River and the Thornapple River. The warnings extended include:

The Thornapple River is expected to rise to near 10.9 feet by midnight tonight. Flood state is 10 feet in Caledonia.

Thornapple River Near Caledonia: extended until Monday morning. Thursday the stage was 10.7 feet. Flood stage is 10.0 feet. The river will continue rising to near 10.9 feet by after midnight tonight. The river will fall below flood stage Sunday before midnight.

Grand River in Ada: extended from this evening to Tuesday morning. Thursday the stage was 18.7 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet. Moderate flooding expected, with levels to rise above flood stage by this evening and continue to rise to near 22.5 feet by Saturday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by Monday evening.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: extended until Tuesday evening. Thursday the stage was 15.5 feet (flood stage is 18.0 feet). The forecast calls for the river to rise above flood stage after midnight tonight and continue to rise to near 21.0 feet by early afternoon Saturday. The river will fall below flood stage by Tuesday morning.

Grand River at Lowell: until late Tuesday night. Thursday the stage was 15.1 feet; flood stage is 15.0 feet. Moderate flooding is expected as the river will continue rising to near 18.4 feet by tomorrow evening. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday morning.

Staff from Kent County Emergency Management continue to work with communities and agencies for flood response. “The flooding in 2013 reached historic levels and taught us lessons that we are holding true to today,” said Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator. “If you live in an area that is flooding and feel the situation could become dangerous, evacuate immediately. We were fortunate nearly five years ago that while there was property damage, no one was injured. We anticipate the next few days to be the most critical during this event.”

County, State, or Federal funding is not available for those who suffer personal property damage. “Residents who experience property damage should contact their insurance company immediately,” said Kent County Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker. “We’ve heard from some residents who are confused about any funding, but the bottom line is homes that are built in low flood plains, drainage easements and natural water flow lands that are flooding are the responsibility of the home owner.”

Two sites are providing residents updates about flooding along with information and fact sheets:

Kent County: www.accesskent.com/News/flood

Grand Rapids: www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Home/Emergency-Announcements/Important-Weather-Update

“We continue to closely monitor the river levels and are using our fire department drone for daily observations of conditions,” Fire Chief John Lehman said. “We plan to post video from the drone on the City’s social media channels.” Grand Rapids residents with concerns about the water levels and questions may call the City’s 311 Customer Service at 311 or 616-456-3000.

Kent County Road Commission crews are investigating standing water and flooded areas and placing barricades and flashers where necessary. Please slow down and heed warnings and closures. “We are also collaborating with neighboring road agencies to coordinate emergency response efforts. Road closures and other vital information will be updated throughout the event and posted to kentcountyroads.net, Facebook and Twitter,” said Steve Warren, Managing Director. Crews will continue clearing catch basins, cleaning spillways, removing debris and patching potholes.

Again, reminders regarding flooding:

Turn Around, Don’t Drown. This National Weather Service motto reminds us of the danger of floodwaters. Just two feet of floodwaters can sweep away a car. If you see flood water in the road, or barricades/signs posted on roads, for your safety and that of first responders, please turn around and take a different route.

Do not try to walk or swim through flood waters. River and creek waters can move fast and carry debris that can be dangerous. Six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock people off their feet.

If you have water in your home/basement, it could be contaminated with pollutants. Handle items that come in contact with flood waters with care, either by disposing of wet items or when possible, cleaning wet items with a disinfectant.

Keep pets away from flood waters.

If you live in an area prone to flooding, make sure personal identification items (i.e. passports and birth certificates) are protected. Back up computer files and keep them in a safe place or store them in a cloud-based service.