Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness

4000 Collins Road, P.O. Box 30636 , Lansing, MI 48909-8136  

Press Release

For Immediate Release For more information contact

March 3, 2005 Any MCSWA committee member

RECORD FLOODING OCCURRED IN MICHIGAN DURING 2005

LANSING - In 2005, 18 Flash Flood Warnings and 33 Flood Warnings were issued by National Weather Service offices across the state of Michigan. Record flooding occurred in Ottawa County’s Robinson Township along the Grand River in January of 2005 as the result of ice jams. During that same time period, flooding from ice jams also occurred on the Grand River near Comstock Park, Portland, and Lansing, and on the Kalamazoo River near Allegan, Flat River near Smyrna, and the Muskegon River near Big Rapids. Fortunately these floods, which caused over $2 million in economic and property damage, resulted in no deaths or injuries.

To focus attention on flood safety planning, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has declared March 26– April 1, 2006, as Severe Weather Awareness Weekin Michigan. Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with flood safety procedures.

“Flooding can occur at any time and anywhere in Michigan, but in 2005 the majority of flooding occurred during the winter months due to ice jams. Flooding caused by ice jams can be especially dangerous, as river levels behind the ice jam can rise by several feet per hour,” said Mark Walton, Service Hydrologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service in Grand Rapids.

According to the Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, flooding along Michigan’s rivers can occur any time of the year, and is most likely the result of excessive rainfall and/or a combination of rainfall and snowmelt. Ice jams also cause flooding in winter and early spring. Severe thunderstorms may cause flooding during the summer or fall, although these are normally localized, and have more impact on watercourses with smaller drainage areas.

Oftentimes, flooding is not directly attributable to a river, stream or lake overflowing its banks. Rather, it may simply be the combination of excessive rainfall and/or snowmelt, saturated or frozen ground, and inadequate drainage. With no place to go, the water will find the lowest elevations – areas that are often

not in a floodplain. That type of flooding is becoming increasingly prevalent in Michigan, as development outstrips the ability of the drainage infrastructure to properly carry and disperse the water flow.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality estimates that about 6 percent of Michigan’s land is flood-prone, including about 200,000 buildings. The southern half of the Lower Peninsula contains the areas with the most flood damage potential.

Residents should be aware that regular homeowners' insurance policies do not cover damages that result from flooding. Coverage is available through a federal program; however, in Michigan only about 15 percent of structures subject to flooding are actually insured against the risk.

Currently, about 777 Michigan communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and over 26,000 policies are in force with coverage of nearly $3.5 billion. Under the NFIP, a flood is defined in part as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from overflow of inland or tidal waters, or from the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.

It is important to note that this flood definition covers general street flooding that enters a home, and not just from a river. In the standard flood insurance policy, direct physical losses by flood are covered. Also covered are losses resulting from erosion caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or erosion accompanied by a severe storm, flash flood, abnormal tidal surge, or the like. Basement flooding is a covered hazard under the NFIP policy. However, homeowners should be aware that personal property is not covered in a basement location. Losses from water seepage, sewer backup, or hydrostatic pressure are covered only when they occur in conjunction with a general condition of flooding.

To purchase flood insurance under the program, residents must live in one of the participating communities. Coverage can be obtained through most licensed property/casualty insurance agents. If you would like more information about the NFIP, please contact Les Thomas, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Land and Water Management Division, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, MI 48909, by email to thomasl@michigan.gov, or by telephone at 517-335-3448.