Record rainfall pushes Michigan rivers to flood stage, with Grand River cresting at 18.4 feet in downtown Grand Rapids this Wednesday

Since the beginning of meteorological spring on March 1, West Michigan has received 6 to 9 inches of precipitation across the region. The saturated ground combined with heavy weekend rainfall has triggered flood warnings on multiple rivers in Kent, Ottawa, and surrounding counties.

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids issued flood warnings Monday, April 6, as water levels continued to rise after the weekend storm dumped additional inches on the already wet landscape.

Grand River Approaches Major Flood Stage

The Grand River at Comstock Park is forecast to reach near-major flooding, with levels expected to crest at 15.70 feet on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Major flood stage in that area is 16 feet.

In downtown Grand Rapids, the river is projected to reach an even higher 18.4 feet on Wednesday. Kent County Sheriff's Emergency Management reported that major flood stage in the city is at 18.4 feet.

The flooding has impacted several communities along the river corridor:

• Comstock Park: Near-major flood stage at 15.70 feet
• Downtown Grand Rapids: Major flood stage at 18.4 feet
• Plainfield Township: Moderate flooding at 15.4 feet

Flood-prone areas in Plainfield Township include Abrigador Trail NE, Willow Drive NE, Riverbank Avenue NE and Konkle Drive NE.

Thornapple and Portage Rivers Also Under Watch

The Thornapple River near Caledonia and Hastings is on a minor flood warning until at least late Wednesday evening. In Hastings, flooding is forecast as moderate and will crest at about 9 feet Tuesday, while in Caledonia it will approach moderate flooding at 11.40 feet on Tuesday.

The Portage River near Vicksburg is also included in the National Weather Service warning.

What Residents Should Do

Kent County officials urge residents in flood-prone areas to take the following precautions:

• Move valuables to higher levels
• Check sump pumps and clear drains
• Be prepared for possible road closures
• Never drive through flooded roads

Kent County Sheriff's Emergency Management reported elevated water levels throughout Kent County, including high-flow conditions at water-control structures on the Thornapple River.

Wettest Spring Start on Record

According to WZZM-TV meteorologist Kolton Woods, this makes West Michigan the wettest start to spring on record. The region was recovering from last year's drought, but the current rainfall pattern has brought moisture to an unprecedented level.

The NWS forecast indicates rain chances will continue through the week, with Thursday and Friday standing the best chance for additional precipitation. While neither round looks as heavy as last week's rain, it will slow the rivers from subsiding.

Over the next 10 days, models are projecting another 1 to 2 inches of rain, which will keep water levels elevated as the ground remains saturated.

Flood Watch Extended

The NWS has extended a flood watch for the Grand Rapids area from late Tuesday night to early Thursday afternoon. Minor flooding of basements is expected in low-lying areas of Grand Rapids.

Residents should monitor NWS alerts continuously and stay informed about changing conditions as the rivers continue to respond to the week's rainfall.

Sources:

• https://www.wzzm13.com/article/weather/weather-impact/river-flooding-ongoing-after-recent-heavy-rain/69-cb651210-c490-4100-a4ef-73717c90b738
• https://wwmt.com/news/local/flood-warning-multiple-rivers-grand-river-comstock-park-approach-major-flooding-national-weather-service-kent-county-thornapple-river-minor-moderate-portage-river-west-michigan
• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/04/flood-warnings-issued-along-grand-river-in-kent-ottawa-counties.html