WYOMING, Mich. — Various City of Wyoming departments have updates regarding flood emergency efforts.
Fire
Residents of Crippen Avenue and Averill Avenue south of 54th Street and the south side of Creekside Estates Parks and Lodge on Clyde Park who wish to return to their homes are asked to please check in with the police officer stationed at Ideal Park Church at 54th Street and Averill Avenue.
Residents of the evacuated areas are strongly urged not to return to their homes until flooding has subsided. Gas and electric power has been shut off in the area, and homes will require an inspection by both gas and electric service providers before the services are restored.
The Red Cross emergency shelter at the Kentwood Community Center, 355 48th Street SE. is still available.
Police
The Police Department has stationed a police officer at Ideal Park Church at 54th Street and Averill Avenue. In order to maintain a level of security in the neighborhood, residents are asked to check in with and provide proof of residency to the officer before attempting to return to their home.
The Police Department has returned to normal response procedures.
Public Works
Sanitary sewage flow is at double normal capacity. The Clean Water Plant is not discharging solids, however, the overflow is causing a bypass at the final step of water chlorination. This could continue throughout the weekend.
There have been reports of sewer backups. If a resident is experiencing water or apparent backup in a basement and suspect it contains septic material, they are asked to please contact the public works department at 530-7260.
For the benefit of the community, all users of the Wyoming Sanitary Sewer System are asked to voluntarily reduce their discharge of wastewater as much as possible and defer the washing of clothes or dishes, showers, baths and other discretionary water uses that can be temporarily avoided.
Sand and sandbags have been restocked and are available for residents to pick up at Public Works Department Facility at 2660 Burlingame Ave.
Public Works maintenance operations are returning to normal. Two street segments are closed to traffic. These include Clay Avenue, south of 54th Street and Wentworth Avenue, Prairie to 36th Street.??
In anticipation of strong winds, the Public Works Department is reminding residents to stay away from downed power lines or areas that have been indicated as dangerous by caution tape or other signage.
Inspections
Residents of the evacuated areas are strongly urged to not return to their homes until flooding has subsided. Gas and electric power has been shut off in the area and homes will require an inspection by both gas and electric service providers before the services are restored. Per electrical codes, residences in which water levels reached electrical equipment, which may include furnaces or hot water heaters, occupancy will not be permitted until repairs are approved.
The City of Wyoming inspections department will be working with utility providers to determine if electricity services can be restored throughout the weekend, and will be staffing phone lines today until 5 p.m. to take citizen calls regarding home or other structure damage that may need to be assessed. Citizens should call 530-7285 and then press Zero (0) to directly access the front office. Voicemail will be monitored during the day.
If residents have concerns regarding gas or electric utilities, they must contact their utility provider.
As of midday Friday, Consumer’s Energy is working to re-energize the substation serving these areas, and to restore electric service to customers where their homes have been deemed safe and habitable by the city of Wyoming Electrical Inspector. It is unknown at this time when specific areas or customers will be restored.
Parks and Recreation
40th Street, Ideal, Lemery, Buck Creek Nature Preserve, Pinery Park and the dog park remain closed. Battjes park has been closed as of this morning. Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution and stay away from ponds and streams.
For further information, visit the City website You can also find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/WyomingCityHall
