The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Muskegon River near Croton, Newaygo, and Bridgeton in Newaygo County until Saturday afternoon. 

* Heavy rain last night is causing minor flooding on the Muskegon River in Newaygo County. 
The White River is also seeing minor flooding at this time. 
Showers will continue on and off for the rest of the day and night, 
But additional rain is not expected to be nearly as heavy as what has already fallen. 

The following forecast is based on observed and forecast 48 hour precipitation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Widespread standing water is expected in low lying and flood prone areas. 
Flooding of small streams, urban and poor drainage locations continue to be possible. 
Three USGS Streamgages are used to determine the river levels.  
As of 9:30 am, the Muskegon River near

• USGS Croton Streamgage was at 9.04 feet with flows at 7,190 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 9.0 feet.
• USGS Newaygo Streamgage was at 11.41 feet with flows at 6,830 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 11.0 feet.
• USGS Bridgeton Streamgage was at 11.16 feet with flows at 4,370 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 13.0 feet.  

Based on the current forecast, it is expected to see MINOR FLOODING on the Muskegon River, with river levels cresting on Thursday, October 3, 2019. Reliability of the forecast is based on current and forecasted river, weather and reservoir conditions.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Expect standing water in low lying and flood prone areas.
• Expect MINOR Flooding on the Muskegon River.
• Anticipate the following areas to be impacted by flood waters on the Muskegon River
  • Leisure Land Subdivision in Bridgeton Township
  • Sycamore Flats in Ashland Township
  • 100^th Ave in Ashland Township
  • Old Women’s Bend in Garfield Township
  • Anderson Flat’s in Garfield Township
• Anticipate Public River Access Sites to be closed if the Muskegon River reaches
  • A height of 10.0 Feet at the USGS Croton  River Gage
  • A height of 13.0 Feet at the USGS Newaygo River Gage
  • A height of 15.0 Feet at the USGS Bridgeton River Gage

ROAD CLOSURES
The following roads are currently closed due to flooding:
* 112th St between Dickinson Ave and Fitzgerald Ave in Bridgeton Township 
* Luce Ave between 32nd St & 24th St in Dayton Township
*VanBuren Ave east of Spruce Ave

GET READY – PREPARE TO EVACUATE IF YOU LIVE WITHIN THE AREA IMPACTED! 
This is a rapidly developing situation. Watch for rapidly changing water levels. 
Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened. 
Residents within the areas anticipated to be impacted by flood waters may be directed to evacuate.
 Follow these checklists (if time allows) to give you and your home the best chance of surviving a flood.
Inside the House

• Shut and lock all windows and doors.
• Gather and elevate important documents, belongings, furniture, and other priceless items including pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and other valuables. 
• Check your emergency preparedness kit and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate. This includes prescription medications.
• Prepare to unplug appliances and turn off your main breaker in your homes electrical box if you need to evacuate.

Outside

• Gather up items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, grills, etc.).
• Strap down propane tanks.
• Prepare to turn off propane tanks if you need to evacuate.
• Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
• Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
• Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened.
• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.

 Animals

• Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
• Check your emergency preparedness kit for your pets and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate.
• If you need to evacuate, take your pets with you.

FLOODING SAFETY

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
• Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

• ONLY CALL 9-1-1 TO REPORT EMERGENCIES!   Emergency operators and phone lines are needed to support this incident, please continue to monitor Nixle for updates or call 2-1-1 (not 9-1-1) for general safety information.
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED!   Continue monitoring your radio, Nixle, and Newaygo ES’s Facebook Page for additional information.
• THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!     

Newaygo County Emergency Services is coordinating with Consumers Energy and the National Weather Service Grand Rapids Office to actively monitor the changing conditions and communicate information out to residences impacted by the rising floodwaters. As the situation changes, additional information will be released by the Newaygo County Emergency Operations Center utilizing Nixle. Please visit http://www.nixle.com/ to register for alerts and view emergency information for where you live.
 

Instructions:

This is a rapidly developing situation. Watch for rapidly changing water levels. Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened. Never try to walk, swim, or drive through swift water. Even 6 inches of fast moving water can knock you off your feet and a depth of 2 feet will float your car. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around and go another way.