Emergency crews are scrambling across mid-Michigan with flooding everywhere and abandoned vehicles under water across the county.
Police shut northbound US-127 north of Mt. Pleasant but it reopened about 9 a.m.
The expressway remained closed near Rosebush, which was hit hardest by much of the flooding.
Crews at 6 a.m. were assisting with a four-vehicle accident on US-127 but said one lane remained open and decided against closing the expressway.
Much of M-20 is closed and police officers starting morning shifts are waiting for instructions from Isabella County Central Dispatch on where they are needed first.
“Everything is under water and there are cars abandoned everywhere,” one officer said.
More than six inches of rain fell in Isabella since 9 p.m. Thursday.
Isabella Central Dispatch asked residents not to call unless they have an emergency.
“Dispatch is aware of the situation and unless damage to roadway there is no need to call,” they said. “We ask that media urge citizens to stay off roadway.”
Photos of flooding from around mid-Michigan
In many areas emergency crews are reporting roadways washed away underneath the water.
See video of flood water washing out Loomis Road
At McLaren Central Michigan, the hospital is open but a daycare at the Isabella Medical Care Facility next-door is closed due to flooding.
In Mt. Pleasant all city parks on the river are under water and closed.
“The storm drain system is at capacity in the city and as the rain stops, some of the flooding is receding,” said Molli Ferency, public relations coordinator. “City crews are checking storm drains for blockages.”
Ferency said city crews are compiling a list of streets that are closed or damaged by flooding.
Residents with sewage backing up are asked to call 779-5401; street department staff will respond as soon as possible.
Parks officials report most Isabella County parks are extremely flooded and today’s Play on the Way event at Deerfield Nature Park is cancelled.
“The parks are pretty flooded at this time with sections being closed until some of the water subsides,” said Katrina Stock. “If you choose to use the parks please do so with caution.”
Among dozens of closings (subject to change):
• Shepherd Road south or Remus is among the roads closed, where crews said a bridge is out.
• Pickard is closed near Doug’s Small Engine on the east side of Mt. Pleasant.
• Mission is closed from Walton Rd. to Blanchard Road.
• Mission at Weidman under three feet of water.
• M-20 at Shepherd under water.
• Broomfield and Genuine.
• Summerton and Broadway.
• Eastbound US-10 is being routed through Coleman.
Some police officers are picking up others ar home with taller vehicles and squad cars are being left parked in favor of SUVs with higher ground clearance while street crews are busy programming “road closed” signs to place around the county.
Flood warnings been extended until 11:30 this morning.
Mecosta, Montcalm and Midland Counties are also under flood warnings, with streets completely submerged in some areas.
Police say do not try to drive through water-covered streets and instead turn around, and stay away from rising waters that can be swift and rise quickly.
Just six 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and two feet of water can sweep your vehicle away. In addition to flash flooding on streets, the Chippewa River is expected to hit flood stage sometime today.
Gratiot County has had very little impact from the flooding and rain, according to the county’s emergency management coordinator Dan Morden.
“I’ve had no reports of significant flooding,” he said. “The north end of the county was effected much more than anything else.”
However, transportation issues related to the flooding were reported on westbound lanes on M-46 and the intersections of McClelland, Ransom and Winans roads.
Additionally, he said the water level is rising at the Pine River but is unknown by how much.
He said the county’s emergency management team is on standby to help Isabella County.
“The Isabella County Emergency Manager has reached out to Gratiot County for mutual aid for highway and roadway barricades,” Morden said.
So far, Isabella County has not asked for Gratiot County’s assistance.
Floods have caused cancellations and delays in mid-Michigan including:
• Central Michigan University operations delayed until 11 a.m.
• Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum is closed.
• iRide services canceled Friday
• Mt. Pleasant Drivers Ed. is canceled; students should contact their instructor
• Saginaw Chippewa Tribal operations delayed two hours
• Chippewa River District Library branches closed today and will reopen Saturday.
• Deerfield Nature Park is closed
• M.J. Murphy Beauty College closed
• Rosebush men’s softball games canceled Friday
