This story has been updated to add new information.
LANSING – Yards, streets, parking lots, businesses and other properties flooded on April 4, and Greater Lansing residents continued to cope with more rain, flood warnings and forecasts for high waters throughout the day.
Charles Semerly, a Lansing Township restaurant owner, received a photo around 6 a.m. from an employee. It showed water in the back kitchen.
They did their best to pump out the water at his Steakhouse Philly Bar & Grill, 3020 E. Kalamazoo St., near the Red Cedar development, but shut down for proper cleanup.
He plans to open again on Monday, but remains upset with the storm drains that were put in a few years ago.
“It seems like, if a torrential rain comes, they just can’t keep up with it whereas the old drains did,” he said
Lansing Township Supervisor Maggie Sanders was not immediately available for comment, and flooding problems were abundant throughout the region.
Social media posts showed a flooded parking lot at The Quarters off of Abbot Road in East Lansing, and the Potter Park Zoo closed because of flooding on Pennsylvania Avenue.
More rain, thunderstorms, and flooding are likely for Ingham County, up until about 6 p.m. on April 4, said Scott Thomas, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
For the region, the weather service already had issued flood warnings in Ingham County for the Grand River in Lansing, Sycamore Creek in Delhi Township, and Red Cedar River in East Lansing and, in Clinton County, the Looking Glass River near Eagle Township.
“We’re looking at, due to the heavy rainfall across the Lansing area, that those four rivers are forecast to go to minor flood stage within the next 24 to 30 hours,” he said. “They will likely stay up for generally about one to three days before we see rivers begin to fall.
“It might be closer to three for some of our more flood prone like the Maple River in Maple Rapids or the Red Cedar in East Lansing, maybe around three or four days.”
Thomas said the NWS predicted the most serious weekend weather scenario for lower Michigan could be 1 to 3 inches of rain falling on the Grand River basin and “that’s what we saw overnight” for areas across Barry, Eaton and Ingham counties and into southeast Michigan.
“With all of our recent rain, that has been enough to cause some flooding issues, both river and non-river flooding,” he said.
Local areas are expected to get about another quarter inch of rain for the rest of April 4, with communities dumped on by thunderstorms could see up an additional inch of rain.
The Michigan State Police issued a warning on social media that “due to the heavy rains in the area, southbound I-69 at Vermontville Hwy is flooded and impassable.”
“Numerous other roads in the Eaton County area are also flooded. Troopers are reminding the public that if you do not have to go out right now, it might be a good idea to stay home and wait out the storm. Another great tip, do not try to drive through flooded roads, it will only take 3 feet of water to float your car.”
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office also advised caution because of multiple flooded areas in the county.
Ingham County Emergency Management canceled an April 4 siren test.
“Due to rain being in the area this afternoon and the chance for lightning, plus a successful test for the statewide drill last month, we’re canceling today’s siren test to avoid any confusion,” the agency’s post said.
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: More rain, flooding expected for Greater Lansing. What to know
Reporting by Susan Vela, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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