KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — The City of Kalamazoo is preparing for what could be a record breaking flood tide on the Kalamazoo River that could arrive Friday and stick around through the weekend, maybe longer.
They anticipate the rising water will close off more roads in Southtown where the water has already receded from flooding on Portage Creek. This time it could close off major commuter routes that were not closed by the first round of flooding. It could close off Portage Street, and reflood Park and Westnedge.
City Utilities Director James Baker says water will come pouring back into that area as the crest from this flood, which is currently upstream, arrives in the next 24 hours.
In an exclusive interview, Baker says 65-homes or more could be negatively impacted.
They have set up emergency stations where sandbags are available and Public Safety is working with the Red Cross to setup an emergency shelter if its needed.
More details to come.
ORIGINAL STORY:
UNDATED (WKZO AM/FM) — The rain has stopped but the flooding continues as the water slowly works its way down drains, streams, creeks and into rivers as it flows out to Lake Michigan.The Kalamazoo, The Grand and the St. Joseph Rivers have yet to crest downstream so the worst for some property owners may be yet to come.
In Mattawan, Fire Chief Terren McLean says they have been sandbagging to protect homes that have been threatened. Steve Lowder, the Assistant Fire Chief in Bangor says their biggest problem has been drivers trying to drive through flooded areas and becoming stranded.
The flooded area in the Southtown section of Kalamazoo has expanded in the last 24 hours and now has closed off more streets. Drivers are being told to just stay out of the area, which includes some major routes used for north-south commuters.
The City of Albion put out a “Call to Action” Wednesday
night to fill sandbags to keep the upper pond of the Kalamazoo River from flooding Rieger and Victory Parks. Early this morning they issued a big thank you to all the Public Safety, Public Services and city volunteers who pitched together to divert the water and avoid extensive damage.
Roads have washed out in Branch County.
A one year old in Montcalm County has drowned in standing water in the back yard of a home after wandering outside. Child Protective Services is investigating.
Lansing and Lansing Township have declared a state of emergency and are requesting that homeowners in some neighborhoods evacuate. They predict that as many as 500 homes may flood before rivers crest.
The Red Cross will open a shelter in Ingham County today. They say they will also be opening shelters in Arenac, and in Berrien Springs to take in the victims of flooding.
Here is a complete list of road closures in Downtown Kalamazoo:
- Park Street between Crosstown Parkway and Forest Street
- Forest Street between Rose Street and Park Street
- Crosstown Parkway between Park Street and Mills Street
- Sheldon Street between Pitcher Street and Vine Street
- Rose Street between Crosstown Parkway and Burr Oak Street
- Reed Court between Reed Street and Stockbridge Avenue
- Burdick Street between Crosstown Parkway and Stockbridge Avenue
- Vine Street between Portage Street and John Street
- Dutton Street between Portage Street and Jasper Street
- Walter Street between Lake Street and Crosstown Parkway
- Stockbridge Avenue between Burdick Street and Crosstown Parkway
- Jasper Street between E. Walnut Street and Crosstown Parkway
- Lake Street between Walter Street and Portage Street
- Lake Street between Burdick Street and John Street
- Sunvalley Drive is passable at center line only
