Evacuations in place as dams face overflow risk due to Michigan flooding
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The Cheboygan Dam reached the “Set” stage of the evacuation plan as water is now less than 6 inches below the top of the dam.
Michigan Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Multiple evacuations are in place across Michigan as flooding has put multiple dams at risk across the region.
Areas downstream of the Cheboygan Dam in Cheboygan and the Croton Dam along the Muskegon River have either evacuation orders in place, while others are making preparations after several weeks of snow melt and heavy rain have left the state reeling.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has an emergency order activation across Michigan due to the heavy rains that have threatened several dams.
The Cheboygan Dam in Northern Michigan has gotten the most attention over the course of the last week as water has inched towards overflowing the top of the dam. On Thursday morning, April 16, the area downstream of the dam entered the “Set” phase of their “Ready, Set, Go” evacuation plan as water was now at 5.28 inches below the top of the dam.
Impact zone downstream of the Cheboygan Dam.
Michigan Emergency Management and Homeland Security
This means that residents downstream of that dam should prepare by packing and preparing family, pets and vehicle for potential evacuation departure.
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Moving southwest, the other largest concern runs along the Muskegon River. According to reporting by the Big Rapids Pioneer, evacuation orders are in place downstream of the Croton Dam in Newaygo County along the Muskegon River. Major flooding has been noted in Evart, in which power outages and road closures are in place. Newaygo County has declared a flood emergency. Other areas in Mecosta County may also have to evacuate.
The Manistee River has reached record major flood stages with an estimated peak of 19.36 feet, which is over two feet above the major flood stage of 17 feet. According to the Manistee News Advocate, Manistee County has officially declared a local state of emergency due to excessive rain runoff impacting the Bear Creek watershed and the Big Manistee River watershed.
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South of the Manistee River is Hesperia, where officials have urged residents to be prepared to evacuate due to the White River flooding.
Arenac County is under a flash flood warning until midnight on Thursday night, as of 1:53 p.m. EDT, county emergency management reported debris removal resulting in rapid water rises along the Rifle River downstream of Omer.
Towards Midland, the Tittabawassee River is now forecast to crest at 27.10 feet. This is the moderate flood stage, with 28 feet being the major flood stage. According to previous reporting by the Midland Daily News, as of 8:45 a.m. Thursday, the river had reached 25.36 feet. It is expected to reach its crest at about 2 a.m. on Friday morning.
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More flooding is possible in the coming days. Additional rainfall up to 0.25″ expected through this evening, totals this weekend will range from around 0.33″ near US-10 to around 0.75″ near I-94 in the western portion of the state. In northern Michigan, next rain chances Friday evening into Saturday. Rainfall of 0.25-0.75” is likely across much of northern lower MI. While Heavy rain from convective showers/storms will result in some locations seeing +1”.
To see the current situation across the state, use our flood tracker:
