Alerts
We have links to the official alerts local authorities are sending out. See our resource guide here.
Bellaire removes "Ready" evacuation protocol as water levels trend downward
(10:03 a.m, 4/19)
Antrim County officials have removed all evacuation protocol for residents downstream of the Bellaire Dam. Although widespread flooding in the area continues, according to Dam Operator Leslie Meyers, the immediate risk of dam failure has subsided.
Disaster relief supplies available Monday in Cheboygan
(8:32 a.m., 4/19)
The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office says food, water and other essentials will be made available from 1-3 p.m. Monday at the Black River Full Gospel Church (Old Black River School).
Cheboygan County: Cement Bridge at Five Mile Point Rd. closed
(11:29 a.m., 4/18)
The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office has announced "a significant road washout in the area of South Black River Rd near Red Bridge Rd." The Cement Bridge at Five Mile Point Rd. is currently closed to all traffic.
The sheriff is asking that residents go north on North Black River Rd. when self-evacuating.
If residents self-evacuate, they are requested to hang a piece of fabric on the door to signify to first responders that you are safe and have left voluntarily.
Separately, you can see a live feed from the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex:
Rain continues in Bellaire
(10:56 a.m., 4/18)
A half-inch of rain fell on Bellaire last night, according to dam operators Leslie Meyers and Sam Harsh.
Rain continues to fall in the region, but water levels have decreased significantly in the last 36 hours.
"Two to 4 inches of headroom has opened up under the gates," said Harsh. "That gives us some room to handle the rain today."
Bellaire remains in the "Ready" safety protocol. According to Antrim County emergency officials, residents down stream of the dam should "plan and/or pack in the event an evacuation becomes necessary."
All boat launches on the Upper Chain of Lakes are closed and officials are asking residents to stay off the water.
More rain in the forecast Friday night
(7:48 p.m., 4/17)
Storms and gusty winds could move through northern Michigan tonight.
The National Weather Service reports that an additional 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rain could fall near I-75 and west.
There are worries that could reverse some of the progress made Friday when sunny skies, dry weather and the activation of a mothballed hydro plant in Cheboygan helped water levels ease at two precarious dams.
Hydro plant comes online, Cheboygan water levels begin to drop
(7:45 p.m., 4/17)
As of 12:45 p.m. on Friday, the water levels at Cheboygan Dam and Lock Dam Complex began falling after the Lock Complex's hydroelectric generation station became operational. Crews worked around the clock to revive the shuttered facility that had not been in operation since 2023.
The Michigan State Police said water levels dropped nearly two inches in the first few hours following the revival of the facility as more water is now moving through the dam. The latest update showed the dam is at 6.48 inches from the reaching the top.
"We're staying on the ground in Cheboygan," Consumers Energy spokesperson Katie Carey told WCMU. Consumers is one of many groups who helped bring the plant back online. "Our teams are to continue monitoring it and monitoring the situation... we're not out of the woods yet, but things are moving in the right direction."
— WCMU Public Radio
Friday morning: Water levels have eased a little on the Bellaire Dam
(9:45 a.m., 4/17)
The water levels at the Bellaire Dam have eased a bit, says Leslie Meyers, operator of dams for Antrim County.
"We are so grateful to see another inch drop in the water levels hear at the dam," she told IPR's Up North Lowdown podcast. "Yesterday we saw an inch. That was encouraging but I still was on high alert. This morning to find another inch drop is just great news."
But more rain is coming on Friday night, and this isn't over.
"We're going to continue doing what we're doing, monitoring, checking on debris throughout the system," Meyers said. "But I just want everyone south of the dam to please stay ready."
Cheboygan water levels rise as governor visits region
(7:22 a.m., 4/17)
As of 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the water levels at Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex reached 4.92 inches below the top.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was in Cheboygan on Thursday and said the state is "pulling out all the stops" to mitigate flood risk.
"My administration will continue to monitor the situation and work with local communities to get them the resources they need," Whitmer said at a news conference. "We are in crisis mode now. Recovery mode will take additional work and we will continue these partnerships."
More on the governor's visit from WCMU Public Radio.
Bellaire Dam water levels stable, residents asked to reduce water use
(3:30 p.m., 4/16)
Water levels at the Bellaire Dam remain stable. With no rain today and no rain in the forecast for tomorrow, officials say they’re expecting water levels to begin to recede this evening, but it will be weeks before water levels return to normal.
Right now, Bellaire dam operator Leslie Meyers is asking residents to stay off the waterways.
"Don’t go out on the water right now, there’s lots of debris there," Meyers said. "Firemen are working diligently, trying to get debris out of the water so it doesn’t impact the dam. Our law enforcement and firefighters are very busy right now, and we’d sure hate to have to come chase you down."
Meanwhile, Bellaire is asking residents to reduce their residential water use, because flooding is straining the village’s wastewater treatment plant.
To manage the excess water, partially treated water is being diverted into wetlands, according to a press release from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.
Bellaire residents are asked to limit their water use to essential needs only, like flushing toilets, washing hands, or cooking, and to avoid long showers or doing laundry.
Because of diverted wastewater in the area, don’t wade, swim or fish near Lake Bellaire.
“Community cooperation is critical to protecting public health and the environment,” said Jeremy Fruk, environmental health director for the department.
Cheboygan moves to 'set' status — closer to an evacuation order, but not there yet
(11:55 a.m., 4/16)
As of 9 a.m. on Thursday, the water levels at Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex reached 5.76 inches below the top.
That has moved things from "Ready" to "set" on the county's three-step "ready, set and go" evacuation plan. The "set" stage goes into effect when the water levels reach six inches below the top of the dam or are predicted to top the dam within 48 hours (see full details about the set stage below).
— WCMU Public Radio
LISTEN: A tour of the Bellaire Dam and a narrow escape for road crews at Beitner Bridge
(9:42 a.m., 4/16)
Bellaire is preparing to open its evacuation centers. Cheboygan has five pumps each pushing out 10,000 gallons a minute to try and relieve the stress. The Homestead Dam is holding steady. And people are waiting for the water to recede as more rain falls on northern Michigan.
In today's eisode of the Up North Lowdown, IPR's Austin Rowlader takes us on a tour of the Bellaire Dam and then gives us the latest on its status — and what could happen if it fails.
We also hear about a narrow escape for a road crew that was inspecting Beitner Bridge when it suddenly gave way in Grand Traverse County.
Officials say repairing the bridge will take 6 months, once they are able to start construction. The bridge was already scheduled for repair — a project that's now being fast-tracked.
Listen and subscribe to the Up North Lowdown for northern Michigan news delivered straight to you every weekday.
Cheboygan County shelter update
(6:30 a.m., 4/16)
Cheboygan County officials say some evacuation shelters have closed and others have changed their hours. Here's the latest:
Water levels steady at Bellaire, but evacuation centers get ready
(6 p.m., 4/15)
Water levels at the Bellaire Dam are mostly unchanged from Tuesday afternoon. Still, with more rain on the way, officials are preparing to open evacuation centers.
Right now, the area along the Intermediate River downstream of the dam remains on “Ready” status — meaning people should plan and/or pack in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. That includes a bag with medications and important documents.
Crews spent today putting sandbags along the dam’s berms, with more ready to go if the water level rises again.
No evacuation has been ordered as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, but if that happens, two evacuation centers will welcome the public:
- Commission on Aging (COA): 308 E. Cayuga St.
- Bellaire High School: 204 W. Forest Home Ave.
The "Ready" status will be upgraded to "Set" if the water gets within 6 inches of the dam's top. At that point, people should pack their vehicles and get their families ready to move.
If it's within an inch of the top, officials will change the alert status to "Go," meaning it's time to leave.
The National Weather Service placed most of northern Lower Michigan under a flood warning — expanding to the whole region from previous, localized alerts.
The warning is in effect into Sunday.
Forecasters are predicting rainfall on Wednesday night and lingering showers on Thursday. A break in the rain is expected on Friday before showers return Saturday.
The flooding, they say, could stretch for several days.
Without culverts, uninhibited Crystal River swamps 'The Mill' near Glen Arbor
(3:48 p.m., 4/15)
The lower level dining room of The Mill — an iconic restaurant and cafe just east of Glen Arbor — is flooded, but the restaurant is still serving customers upstairs.
The Mill’s general manager Corey Smith told the Glen Arbor Sun that he spent last winter on his kayak clearing the culvert downriver from The Mill.
“Anytime the river level would rise, I took it as an indication to clear blockages at the Homestead culvert with a metal rake and sledgehammer,” he said. “Each time I did this, river flow would continue into Lake Michigan, lowering the high water level at The Mill."
Downstream residents are also feeling the effects of a swollen Crystal River.
Antrim County: Secure or remove items near the water
(3:11 p.m., 4/15)
Antrim County officials are asking the public to remove items currently on or near a Chain of Lakes shoreline, which are at risk of being pulled downstream.
"Every item that is pulled into moving water could become a hazard to the Bellaire Dam, the Bridge Street culvert in Ellsworth, or the Elk Rapids Hydrodam and spillway," said a statement from Antrim County on social media. "Dock sections, picnic tables, trailers, boats, swing sets: all have the potential to be carried downstream by the unusually high and fast-moving water. Please protect your personal property by moving it as far away from rising water as possible."
Black Lake residents should prepare for rising water
(10:53 a.m., 4/15)
Residents who live near Black Lake, southeast of Cheboygan and north of Onaway, should prepare for a significant influx of water in the next 24 to 48 hours.
That's the word from the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office, which says residents should "take time now to secure any valuables, outdoor items, or debris that could be damaged or carried away by increasing water."
Many there are already experiencing flooding in their homes, officials say. If water levels are rising and you deem it unsafe, officials say you should leave the area.
Scroll down to see locations of Cheboygan County shelters.
Culvert in Ellsworth poses new risks
(10:30 a.m., 4/15)
A culvert at Bridge Street in Ellsworth is overwhelmed with storm water. Emergency managers in Antrim County say if the culvert fails, "a large amount of water will immediately be released," causing widespread flooding on the Upper Chain.
The release of water would also increase pressure on the Bellaire Dam, already strained as water levels continue to rise.
If the Ellsworth culvert fails, Antrim County officials will send an alert via the RAVE system. Sign up for alerts here.
Shelters open in Cheboygan County
(7:43 a.m., 4/15)
As people evacuate flooded areas, shelters have been opened in Cheboygan County.
- Wolverine Senior Center, 6554 Wolverine Rd
- Waverly Township Hall, 11133 Twin School Rd
- Benton Township Hall, 5012 Orchard Beach Rd
- Benton Township Community Center, 5014 Orchard Beach Rd
- Cheboygan Senior Center, 1531 Sand Rd
- KofC Hall, 9840 N Straits Hwy
- Church of Straits, 307 N Huron Ave
- Alverno Fire Department, 5009 Orchard Beach Rd
Schools closed — and other places, too
(7:10 a.m., 4/15)
Because of road flooding, a number of local schools are closed today, including:
- Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools
- Greenspire School
TCAPS says it closed at the request of Grand Traverse County because of road closures.
Other closures include
- The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA’s “South” location. The West and Central YMCA locations remain open.
We'll list more as we hear about them.
Road closures across northern Michigan
(6:20 a.m., 4/15)
Floodwaters have a number of roads closed throughout northern Michigan.
In Grand Traverse County, Beitner Road is closed between River Road and U.S. 31 at Chums Corner. South Airport Road is also closed between Park and Cass.
"The bridge at Beitner Park failed," said a statement from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office on social media. "Beitner Road is no longer passable. The Grand Traverse County Road Commission has put barricades up at Chums Corners and at Keystone and River Rd. Additionally, things didn't get any better for S. Airport Rd last night. It will remain closed at Park Rd and Cass Rd."
In Emmet County, a culvert washed out on M-119 between Good Hart and Cross Village, along the famed "Tunnel of Trees" highway. There's no timeline for repairs, but a plan is in the works. M-119 is also closed near Stutsmanville Road south of Good Hart. Traffic is detoured on West Stutsmanville Road and Terpening Road.
A number of other road closures exist where water is blocking the safe passage of traffic. Detours and signs are posted where possible, but some jurisdictions have said they don't have enough signs to note every spot where roads might be flooded.
Michigan State Police and other public safety officials urge drivers not to attempt to drive through standing water.
Antrim County officials advise affected residents to be prepared to evacuate
(6 P.M., 4/14)
In a press release, Antrim County Emergency Management officials announced that water levels at Bellaire Dam have risen to within 12 inches of portions of the dam’s top.
This triggers the “Ready” stage protocol for the Intermediate River area downstream of the Bellaire Dam. A map is shown below.
According to the release:
All residents and businesses on the Intermediate River downstream of the Bellaire Dam are advised to pack for an evacuation. A "go-bag" should include medications and any important documents. Also recommended: securing outdoor items and moving valuables to higher levels.
If you choose to self-evacuate, please identify your home as empty by attaching something brightly colored to your front doorknob, e.g., a beach towel or a large scarf. An alternative would be using painter's tape to tape a large X on the door.
The three safety protocols are:
◦ Ready: When water is 12 inches below the top of the dam with levels rising 3 inches a day or more. Plan and/or pack in the event an evacuation becomes necessary.
◦ Set: When water reaches 6 inches below the top of the dam, with water levels rising at a rate of 3 inches per day or levels rising 3 inches per day and predicted to top the dam within 48 hours.
Prepare by packing and preparing your family, pets, and vehicle for potential departure.
◦ Go: When water levels are 1 inch below the top of the dam with a high probability of topping it, with the potential for failure occurring. Follow evacuation orders; roadblocks may be installed around the perimeters.
Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office issues Evacuation Notification
(4:45 p.m., 4/14)
On its Facebook page, the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office has issued this Evacuation Notification:
The County Office of Emergency Management has issued a notice to evacuate low areas now due to a levee breach of the Little Black River Watershed, unrelated to current activities at Cheboygan Dam and Lock. Please leave your residence and travel south of the City of Cheboygan.
Affected Areas:
US-23 shoreline from approximately Pries Landing south to the Cheboygan River, down to Lincoln St., back along Court St., to Levering Rd., and Inverness Trail, up to the US-23 Shoreline. (See Map)
When you evacuate, please leave a towel or some type of fabric on the door handle visible from the road. If you are unable to evacuate, dial 9-1-1 for assistance.
First responders are currently assisting with evacuation efforts
Rain and runoff in cofferdam at FishPass construction site
(3:50 p.m., 4/14)
Construction on FishPass could be temporarily delayed, after rain and runoff flowed into the cofferdam that's typically dry. That's after a retaining wall along an alley above the construction site collapsed.
Sections of Lot K in downtown Traverse City south of State Street remain closed after the erosion of the wall.
Leah Bagdon McCallum, a spokesperson for FishPass, said no river water has entered the cofferdam, and several pumps are working to remove rain and runoff that has collected there.
She added that construction materials in the cofferdam that got wet, like rebar and dimensional lumber, will still be usable for the project.
—Ellie Katz
Sandbags are a "hot commodity" in Bellaire
(3:20 p.m., 4/14)
Fred Chacon lives on the Intermediate River in one of the first houses downstream of the Bellaire dam. Some friends came over this afternoon to help him line up sandbags between his house and the riverbank.
“These are a hot commodity right now, these sandbags," Chacon said. "I bought all the ones at the hardware store — there were 42 of them — but I may need to get more.”
Chacon has lived in Bellaire for 12 years and said he’s never seen the river levels this high and this close to his house.
Leslie Meyers, who is Antrim County's drain commissioner and operator of dams, agreed.
"It’s never been to this height," Meyers said. "Last year was the highest-recorded heights we had for the river system up here … we are seven-tenths of a foot over last year’s high."
Meyers is in the midst of an effort to raise more than six million dollars for dam repairs, including an overflow spillway. She said that if those updates were in place right now, Bellaire wouldn't be dealing with the current threat of severe flooding and potential dam failure.
Antrim County Undersheriff George Lasater said he and his colleagues have been warning residents about what to do if there is a dam failure.
“We went door to door ... and just made contact with everybody that was home and the ones that weren't home. We posted notices on the door, basically, like, 'Heads up… there's potential for problems,'” Lasater said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, crews were on the scene preparing to fill in the berm surrounding the dam with sand and working to repair one spot where water was seeping through the dam.
—Claire Keenan-Kurgan
Dead steelhead at the Little Manistee River
(3:00 P.M., 4/14)
Storm damage delayed Michigan’s efforts to stock steelhead for the season.
The Department of Natural Resources was set to start egg collection at the Little Manistee River Weir this morning.
But instead, staff spent the morning pulling at least 1,200 dead fish from holding pens after power knocked out the weir’s oxygen circulation.
“We've given some away, and we've collected as much data as we could off the fish, so we're trying to make lemonade as best we can there,” said Mark Tonello, a fisheries biologist with the DNR.
Still, he said the situation is their “worst nightmare,” he said.
Tonello said this will delay their plan to collect 4.6 million eggs. The team still plans to collect eggs from the remaining fish still alive tomorrow and into next week.
Allen Lemieux drove from Grand Rapids to see the annual egg collection and said it was sad to see all the dead fish.
“I've been fishing for over 50 years, and I've never been here to witness it, and I wanted to come over and see it,” Lemieux said. “I figure I don't have many more years, that I wanted to witness it. I'm shocked.”
The DNR said it’s not yet clear how this will affect the steelhead season long-term.
The Little Manistee River Weir is Michigan’s only source of steelhead. Eggs are sent to hatcheries in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
—Vivian La
A scramble to save books in Kalkaska
(1:20 p.m., 4/14)
Downtown Kalkaska is reporting flooding, with multiple businesses finding water in their basements.
At the Kalkaska Public Library, staff had to remove books from shelves and away from walls as water entered the basement, which houses roughly 20,000 items, including children’s materials and archival collections.
“It’s no good to have all sorts of books in a damp basement that’s prone to flooding,” said library director John Roberts.
Roberts said repeated flooding is one reason the library needs a new building.
Next door, McLean’s Hardware also reported several inches of water in its basement.
Residents also tell IPR the bridge over North Branch Boardman River has been flooded.
—Maxwell Howard
It's been worse in Traverse City
(1 p.m., 4/14)
In Traverse City, Stewie Zacks was on the bridge on Wadsworth Street at the confluence of Kids Creek and the Boardman-Ottaway River, taking note of the high water.
“It’s exceeded the banks over there on the other side, and on this side,” she said. “It looks like it’s probably flooding the parking in that building across the river,” referring to the West End Lofts apartment complex.
Zacks has lived in the neighborhood more than 50 years and said she’s seen floods before.
“It’s not terribly unusual,” she said. “It doesn’t happen this bad very often. Every five, 10 years or something. It's a little bit scary, but this is what happens if [the river] gets a lot of rain and snowmelt.”
In Traverse City’s Kids Creek neighborhood, Cedar Street between Front and 6th streets was closed and covered with water.
—Ellie Katz
Road closure in Manistee
(1 p.m., 4/14)
The Manistee County Sheriff's Office says High Bridge Road is closed.
"High Bridge Road will be closed, from Chicago Avenue to River Road, indefinitely," said a statement. "A detour will be established and communicated to the public by Tuesday afternoon. Until then, please seek alternate routes of travel."
In Benzie County, Homestead Dam emergency plans activated
(12 p.m., 4/14)
Emergency plans have been activated at the Homestead Dam in Benzie County.
County authorities say heavy rainfall is impacting them just like the rest of the region, and that the state Department of Natural Resources is beginning reinforcement operations on the dam in Benzonia Township.
Water levels are high and expected to continue rising. Property owners and residents in areas along the Betsie River downstream from the Homestead Dam should take precautions to protect property and prepare.
The county says if the dam structure becomes compromised, a notice of evacuation will be issued. Find more emergency alerts from Benzie County here.
Avoid River Road in Blair Township, Grand Traverse County
(11:30 a.m., 4/14)
Drivers in Grand Traverse County are asked to avoid River Road between Garfield Road and Keystone Road.
Grand Traverse County authorities are evacuating homes along the Boardman River there. That’s in Blair Township.
Road flooding prevalent throughout northern Michigan
(11:30 a.m., 4/14)
Roads across the region were submerged in places.
Drivers are urged to use extreme caution and to never drive through standing water. Statistically, most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
In Cheboygan County, Sheriff Todd Ross urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.
Antrim County urges people to sign up for alerts
In a news release this morning, Antrim County encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts.
"At this point, the most important thing is to sign up for notifications. If an evacuation becomes necessary, an alert will be sent via the RAVE system, and sheriff’s personnel will go door-to-door to the homes below the Bellaire Dam on the Intermediate River," the release said.
The Bellaire dam, built in 1904, is holding back record-breaking levels of water.