GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It’s moving day for Dr. Gary Anderson and his staff, sort of.
“All of our electronic equipment, exam equipment we’re gonna move all the computers out. So we have probably close to a half a million dollars worth of eye equipment,” Anderson said.
They’re moving electronics and some patient records up one floor to a neighboring business, inside the Riverfront Plaza.
His business, Anderson Eye Care, is eye level with the Grand River, although it shouldn’t be.
Tenants inside the building say there’s an 8 or 9 foot drop from the bottom floor window to the walkway, but the river walk has disappeared.
After 9 years, this isn’t the first time he’s seen the water rise.
“Last time I was sitting at my desk looking out my window, and I could see the ducks looking in my window,” Anderson chuckled.
That was just a foot or two below the window. This time, the National Weather Service says the river will crest just below 25 feet on Sunday.
“Looking at the projections, it’s suppose to be up on the windows by three or four feet,” Anderson explained.
He said the windows are aquarium windows. They’re three to four inches thick, and they’re built to withstand the water pressure. The 26 year old windows are sealed.
“But the seals haven’t been tested since 1987,” he said. “So, sounds like we’re going to get to test it again.”
“Ya know, if you plan for it, it probably doesn’t happen. When you don’t plan for it, then you’re going to be in trouble,” Anderson reasoned.
As long as the water stays outside, it will be business as usual.
