Rain-Driven Rise Forces Road Closures and Basement Flooding Along Grand River

Comstock Park, Mich. — Heavy rainfall across West Michigan pushed the Grand River above flood stage in Kent County, forcing road closures and flooding basements for approximately 100 homes in Comstock Park and surrounding areas.

The river near Comstock Park measured 15.47 feet at its crest on Wednesday, a level Kent County Emergency Management classifies as "moderate flooding," at more than three feet above the area's 12-foot flood stage.

Forecast data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows levels began dropping Wednesday and are expected to fall back below flood stage by Sunday afternoon, assuming no additional significant rainfall.

"The Grand River has already crested in Ionia County, but the high water has to work its way through Kent County and Ottawa County before it finally reaches Lake Michigan," according to WWMT meteorologist Jeff Porter.

Hardest-Hit Areas Include Low-Lying Neighborhoods Near River

Residents in Comstock Park reported water over the street along Abrigador Trail, near the LMCU Ballpark, with flooding impacting the basements of approximately 100 homes.

The hardest-hit neighborhoods include:

• Abrigador Trail off West River Drive
• Willow Drive — completely submerged on eastern river banks
• Riverbank Street
• Konkle Drive

Secondary roads near the river have also seen closures during peak water levels.

"We've been here before. Some of us have a kayak or rowboat ready to go," one resident told News Channel 3, describing the strategy of moving vehicles to higher ground whenever a flood alert is issued.

Thornapple River Briefly Hit Flood Stage

While the Grand River continues to impact low-lying areas, the Thornapple River near Caledonia reached 10.0 feet around midnight Tuesday, briefly hitting flood stage before dropping below it Wednesday morning.

Kent County Emergency Management reported the Thornapple River near Caledonia measured 9.5 feet Tuesday morning and was expected to crest near 10.0 feet around midnight.

Dam Facilities Operating as Designed

The LaBarge, Cascade and Ada Dam facilities have experienced high-flow conditions but are operating as designed, according to county officials.

"This is not among the worst flooding instances seen historically, but it could still impact low-lying areas, including homes, basements, roads, parks and trails near the rivers in Comstock Park, Plainfield Township and Caledonia," Kent County Emergency Management stated.

County Launches Damage Assessment Survey

Kent County Emergency Management has launched an online survey for residents to report flood-related damage to assist with local assessments.

Officials are asking residents to:

• Avoid driving through flooded roadways
• Obey barricades
• Stay clear of fast-moving water
• Continue monitoring official updates as conditions may change

For flood safety information, county officials recommend visiting weather.gov/safety/flood.

Downstream Conditions in Grand Rapids

Further downstream in downtown Grand Rapids, river levels were falling as of Wednesday midday. Minor flood stage triggers at the Grand Rapids gauge are 18.10 feet, and the river fell just shy of that line.

Despite falling short of the minor flood line, pedestrian infrastructure along the river downtown was largely unusable as the river approached the height of bridge decks.

Forecast Remains Uncertain

NOAA predicts the river will remain high through at least Thursday morning in Comstock Park. Residents are advised to monitor official updates as conditions may change.

Sources

• WWMT (News Channel 3) — "About 100 homes in Comstock Park area affected as Grand River surpasses flood stage" — https://wwmt.com/news/local/100-homes-comstock-park-lmcu-ballpark-area-grand-rapids-grand-river-surpasses-flood-stage-flooding-water-noaa-kent-county-emergency-management-wwmt

• WZZM 13 — "Kent County Emergency Management shares update on elevated river levels causing flooding" — https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/kent-county-emergency-management-shares-update-elevated-river-levels-causing-flooding/69-f6ce97bc-5b48-4ace-9c79-9d77e009c904

• Yahoo/WOOD — "In Comstock Park, Grand River nears major flood stage" — https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/comstock-park-grand-river-nears-152457477.html