Flooding hits Michigan statewide, damaging roads and homes
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MERIDIAN TWP, Mich. (WILX) – Flooding from recent rainfall has affected areas from Grand Rapids to Meridian Township and beyond, creating problems for drivers, homeowners, and local workers tasked with cleanup.
Parks, roads, and residential areas have seen higher-than-normal water levels over the past several days. Some residents said they have spent tens of thousands of dollars repairing prior flood damage.
Brian Stemplewski, a Meridian Township resident, said his property sits at the convergence of two water outlets — one from Lake Lansing and one from a nearby mall.
This is Wonch Park in Meridian Township following rain, and other floods in the area.(WILX)
“This is an average flood. This is not bad. I’ve had water come up well past the house,” Stemplewski said.
Stemplewski said his area typically floods during periods of continuous rain. He said flooding damaged his home on one occasion, resulting in significant repair costs.
“There was probably 100 grand worth of damage. It was no structure, well, dry wall, studs, stuff like that,” Stemplewski said.
He said he only becomes concerned about flooding when the area is expected to receive seven inches of rain or more. The road near his home frequently closes due to high water.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is buying Stemplewski’s home because it sits on a flood plain. He said the agency cited insufficient water retention in the surrounding developed area.
“They’re going to actually tear the house down and build some retaining ponds in this area,” Stemplewski said.
Stemplewski says his neighborhood is often hit by high water when there is continuous rain. He says it can close roads, both backroads and main roads.
Lance Binoniemi, with the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, said floodwater can shorten the lifespan of roads.
“Water can do a significant amount of damage to roads, especially if it gets in with those cracks and then freezes again, which we have seen over this winter,” Binoniemi said.
He said newer engineering designs are being used to reduce that impact.
“Recent engineering designs have been able to allow us to divert some of that water off of the road so it isn’t having that impact,” Binoniemi said.
Binoniemi said planning for and monitoring floods in the area is ongoing. He said one challenge crews face when clearing roads is aging equipment that can fail.
Local governments across mid-Michigan, including Meridian Township, said residents can help reduce road flooding by clearing debris from blocked catch basins.
Mike Osborn, Jackson’s Director of Public Works, says their city does not often have to manage floods. That’s due, “to ongoing prevention and maintenance efforts, including street sweeping twice a year to help keep catch basins clear. Our catch basins are also routinely flushed and cleaned to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of backups.”
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