article courtesy of OurMidland.com
The National Weather Service plans to issue a flood watch Monday afternoon for Midland and Bay counties that is expected to last until noon on Tuesday.
Total rainfall by noon Tuesday is expected to be in the 1- to 3-inch range, with a small chance of it exceeding 3 inches, according to National Weather Service forecasts.
Other than hazardous driving conditions Monday night, there will most likely be a “very minimal impact,” said Jenifier Boyer, Midland County emergency management coordinator.
Heavy rainfall could present dangerous driving conditions where people should reduce their speed as necessary, Boyer said. Some roads could close near the Tittabawassee River as a result of flash flooding Monday night, she said.
“Heavy rainfall will be experienced across our community, so anyone who has a low-lying home, water will pool up,” Boyer said. “It will take a day or two to drain into the river.”
The Tittabawassee River is expected to crest at about 1 p.m. Wednesday at 20 feet – which is 4 feet below flood levels. As of 1:15 p.m. Monday, the river was at 10 feet. Flood stage is 24 feet.
Boyer said she understands why Midland residents are sensitive to any chance of flooding, but the rain this week is “pretty standard” rainy weather.
“The weather service isn’t anticipating we will have a large flood event, just some heavy rains, pooling of water and hazardous driving conditions on roadways,” she said.
