Osceola and Mecosta County Officials Prepare for Flooding Rising water levels along the Muskegon River have prompted emergency preparations and warnings in Evart, as officials monitor what could become a major flooding event. Emergency crews and local agencies are tracking conditions in Evart and across Osceola County, where river levels have climbed rapidly and are forecast to crest above 15 feet later in the week, nearing historic levels recorded in 2014, according to local officials and the National Weather Service. Evart Fire Department Chief Shane Helmer reported that the river had reached 11.66 feet at the time of observation on Tuesday, April 14, rising from 10.86 feet in less than a day. A section of 11 Mile Road in Lincoln Township, between 220th Avenue and Lakola Road near the U.S. 131 exit for Ashton, has washed out completely, according to Helmer. “The entire road is washed away,” he said. The damage underscores the risks posed by flooded or submerged roadways, where underlying structures may be compromised. “Not knowing what’s underneath that water, it could collapse underneath you,” Helmer warned. Additional rainfall is expected to push water levels higher, with forecasts calling for a crest at or above 15 feet. Helmer described the situation as “another major impact flooding event” for the region. Emergency response plans from previous flooding events are now being reactivated, with coordination underway between local fire departments, emergency management, municipalities, and private partners. Crews are considering aerial reconnaissance and river patrols to identify emerging hazards. “We’re actively monitoring with emergency management,” Helmer said. Officials are also assessing infrastructure, including roads already impacted by flooding.#muskegon_river #osceola_county #mecosta_county #evart #shane_helmer
Neighbors along the Muskegon River prepare for flooding as water levels rise A Flood Warning is in effect for the Muskegon River south of Croton, prompting residents in Newaygo County to brace for potential flooding. The National Weather Service has warned that conditions could surpass the severe flooding seen in 2018, with the river expected to reach its peak on Friday or Saturday. Local families are taking steps to protect their homes and belongings as water levels continue to rise rapidly. Hyla Kooiman, whose family has owned their Newaygo-area property since 1940, described the situation as dire. She pointed to landmarks along the shoreline, noting that the river’s edge has shifted significantly. “That little row of trees… that’s the edge of where the river should be,” she said, highlighting the encroaching water. The gate separating their home from the road is already submerged, and Kooiman and her brother, Merle Carpenter, are elevating furniture to minimize damage. “We got tables, we put a couch up on the table,” Kooiman explained. Jason Nurmi, a neighbor, is also preparing for the worst. He has removed all furniture from his home, including closets, dining sets, and even his refrigerator. “We’re right around 13 and a half feet right now… and once it hits about 14 and a half, it’ll be at my foundation,” Nurmi said, citing the National Weather Service’s forecast of a peak level of 16.5 feet. He anticipates at least a foot of water inside his home and plans to evacuate on Thursday. “You’re going to have standing water in the house, and you just can’t live in it with standing water,” he warned. The situation is not new for Nurmi, who recalled that this will be the fourth evacuation since 2017.#muskegon_river #newaygo_county #hyla_kooiman #merle_carpenter #jason_nurmi
EVACUATION ORDER ISSUED FOR MUSKEGON RIVER FLOODPLAIN Newaygo County Emergency Services has issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in the Muskegon River Floodplain below the Croton Dam, citing rapidly rising water levels and the potential for catastrophic flooding. The directive, issued on April 16, 2026, comes as emergency personnel conduct door-to-door alerts to ensure compliance. Sheriff Bob Mendham confirmed that while the Croton Dam remains structurally stable, the situation is deemed too dangerous for residents to stay in the floodplain. The emergency notice highlights that water levels on the Muskegon River have surged to critical thresholds, with three U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages reporting major flood conditions. At 9:00 a.m., the Croton Streamgage recorded 12.07 feet, exceeding flood stage by over three feet. The Newaygo Streamgage measured 15.58 feet, surpassing its flood stage of 11.0 feet, while the Bridgeton Streamgage reached 16.56 feet, well above its 13.0-foot flood threshold. These readings indicate that the river is nearing levels comparable to the severe flooding event of April 2014, with officials warning that conditions could worsen. Residents in specific neighborhoods are at the highest risk, including Leisure Land Subdivision in Bridgeton Township, Sycamore Flats in Ashland Township, and Old Women’s Bend in Garfield Township. The floodwaters are expected to crest on April 17–18, potentially submerging homes and infrastructure. The Division Street Bridge in Hesperia is already under threat, with water flowing over the spillway of the Hesperia Dam and posing a risk of overtopping. Emergency crews are actively assessing the dam’s stability, though no immediate collapse is anticipated.#usgs #newaygo_county_emergency_services #croton_dam #muskegon_river #newaygo_county_commission_on_aging
