About 250 homes − many of which are located in subdivisions – have been affected by water in some way in Osceola County, according to county Emergency Management Director Mark Watkins.
As of Saturday, April 18, boats remain on the water monitoring the situation and assisting residents.
“Our major operation today — as it’s been every single day and probably will be for another week or so — is having people on the river checking on those homeowners that have not opted to leave their area,” Watkins told The Free Press. “Secondly, in that operation, securing loosened propane tanks and clearing debris the best we can.”
Utilities in flood areas are out because of utility boxes at risk of flooding. According to Watkins, Great Lakes Energy and Consumers Energy have shut down several areas to prioritize and not damage the electrical system. The grid is expected to remain deenergized for at least another week.
Watkins emphasized that it is not safe to be on the water recreationally because of the very high flow rate of the river.
The Muskegon River in Osceola County hit a record flood level of 16.2 feet on Thursday. On Saturday morning, water levels dropped below 16 feet overnight and are currently at 15.83 feet, according to the Evart Area Fire Department.
About 100 of the affected homes are in Evart Township, Watkins said, with most of the rest in Marion Township and Hersey Township in low-lying areas near the Muskegon River.
On Friday, the Evart Area Fire Department made six water rescues and secured 16 propane tanks to prevent additional hazards, according to a post Saturday morning.
The Red Cross is operating a shelter at Spring Hill Camps in Evart, according to Watkins.
— Contact Cassidey Kavathas at ckavathas@usatodayco.com and contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Osceola County faces record river flooding with 250 homes affected
Reporting by Cassidey Kavathas and Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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