MECOSTA COUNTY, Mich. – At least 50 homes have been impacted by flooding waters of the Muskegon River that came earlier in the week when an ice jam broke north of the county causing damage to those living along the river’s banks.
On Friday, the flood waters remained high even though the river itself was frozen in place south of Big Rapids.
Some homes, closest to the river, were sitting in six feet of water. The rising waters even crossed over 183rd Avenue near 12 mile road reaching homes on the other side of the road from the river and leaving the street under a layer of ice.
The county’s emergency manager says the initial damage report is 2.6 million dollars.
People living in the area were asked to evacuate if their homes were under water.
Some of those who attempted to stay in their homes had to be rescued by the sheriff department’s hovercraft.
The area Red Cross opened a shelter in Big Rapids at the First United Methodist Church on Elm Street for those who needed a safe place to stay.
Officials with the national weather service say there is no telling when the waters will recede, and there is concern another ice jam could break free and cause damage to anything in its path.
