Flood Warnings in Southwest Lower Michigan

The National Weather Service has upgraded its flood warning from mild to moderate for areas of southwest lower Michigan. Affected areas are the Grand River at Lansing and Sycamore Creek at Holt in Ingham County.

Other counties in Michigan are under flood advisory. Residents of Mason, Lake, Oceana, Clare, Osceola, Newago, Mecosta, Isabella, Muskegon, Montcalm, Gratiot, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Jackson should be on the alert for rising river waters.

Areas of particular concern include: the Grand River, communities of Eaton Rapids, in Eaton county, Comstock Park, Lowell and Grand Rapids in Kent county and Ionia in Ionia county should take care. The Red Cedar River in East Lansing and Williamston is also affected. Portions of the Kalamazoo River at Marshall in Calhoun County, Comstock in Kalamazoo County and New Richmond in Allegan County are under threat of flooding. Residents in Caledonia near the Thornapple River along the Looking Glass River near Eagle in Clinton county may see flooding. Those living along the Portage River at Vicksburg are urged to beware of flooding, as well.

Much of Michigan has had periods of heavy rains and thunderstorms for the last few days. Rainfall totaled one to four inches in some areas. More hazardous weather and rain are predicted for the increased rain has swelled rivers to flood stages.

NOAA wishes to remind residents that six inches of water can sweep people off their feet and two feet of water can float a car. Those to whom flood waters are particularly dangerous are: elderly people, disabled, children and those who have had surgery or have difficulty walking.

Don't attempt to walk, wade, swim or drive in flood water. The current can be very powerful. The swirling water creates and undertow, also called rip currents or rip tides, which are streams of water that run opposite to the tide. Rip currents can pull you beneath the level of the water and cause you to drown. If you get caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore. Rip currents are powerful, but narrow and you can swim out of it if you don't panic.

If you walk near a channel in the river beware of water washing over the top. Take care when walking along the bank of a river. Flood water can cause erosion which makes the banks unstable. Picnickers, fishermen and hikers should avoid walking in areas where water is high.

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about weather from 25 years teaching and writing about science.