PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (MI) Heavy precipitation accompanied by record warm temperatures and snow-melt flooding in Michigan

Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:10:02 EST

Summary: The lower half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan has received as much as 2.9 inches of rain since last night. This rainfall is expected to continue through mid-day tomorrow with another 1-2 expected over the southern parts of the same area. Some moderate to major flooding is predicted.

Since last evening, 1-3 inches of rainfall has fallen throughout the southern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Highest rainfall occurred in the southwestern Muskegon River basin, the Galien and St. Joseph River in far southwestern Michigan, and the Grand River basin near Jackson. NWS predicts an additional 1-2 inches to fall over the next 24 hours, although it appears that a dry period follows through the weekend.

The Dowagiac River is currently listed as being in the NWS moderate flooding category. Two rivers are likely to go into the NWS major flooding category (Grand and St. Joseph) between Thursday and the weekend.

All available USGS personnel from the Lansing Field Office, 4 teams of 1-2 technicians are deployed today. All crews are concentrating on swollen smaller streams today as most major streams are not expected to crest until Thursday, or later.

USGS has been in contact with local NWS folks regarding ice flag removals, ice observations, etc.