Storms flood parts of West Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Strong storms rolled through West Michigan in the early morning hours of Friday, followed by a brief but intense band in the early afternoon and a third wave Friday night.

The third wave was the most intense, leaving parts of West Michigan flooded. Holland was particularly hard hit, as Mayor Al McGeehan said, "Holland is under water."

There are Flash Flood Watches for the throughout the 24 Hour News 8 viewing area.

The storms caused power outages in spots throughout West Michigan. No weather-related injuries are known. However, one teen died from a downed power line that happened before the storm rolled through.

B-93 reports that despite the rain in Ionia tomorrow's Birthday Bash will go as scheduled, rain or shine.

Many West Michigan counties have some damage from the storms. Some of the specific reports:

• Allegan County -- Trees down all over, with the southwest area the hardest hit; washed-out roads include 24th south of 108th, Ottogan between M-43 and 44th, 125th east of 28th, 34th between 128th and 130th.
• Barry County -- Seventy-five of 200 Yankee Springs campsites are under water because of heavy rain from early Friday morning. Park staff is moving some campers to dryer locations. They say that if you have a reservation for camping this weekend to call ahead -- (269) 795-9081 -- to see if there is a space available. They say they prefer if you do not have reservations for this weekend to not come to the park due to the flooding concerns.
• Ottawa County -- flooding has made U.S. 31 between 32nd and Lincoln in Holland impassable; more flooding at M-40 and Waverly.

Storm Team 8 is tracking these storms and will have updates on-air and online as events develop. For more information, follow Bill's Blog .

Release from Ionia County Central Dispatch

12:03am UPDATE: The water over the road on west bound I-96 has receded and the road is clear. We are still working on the flooded area on Grand River Ave. underneath the I-96 overpass at Exit 73.

11:41pm Please be advised, we have major flooding in south east Ionia County, mainly near the City of Portland area. There is water over the road on west bound I-96 near the 78 mile marker. We also have substantial water over Grand River Ave underneath the I-96 overpass at Exit 73 (also known as the “Lyons Exit”). We have had several vehicles stalled in the water at that location and police are currently on scene to deter people from driving through the flooded area.

 Please use your resources to notify the public of these flooded areas. Our local agencies are doing what they can to post signs and flashers in these areas until the water goes down. If you have any questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact Katy at Ionia County Central Dispatch, 616-527-0400.
 

Statement from Hope College (11:17pm)

Many buildings on the campus of Hope College have been flooded. A cleanup effort is underway.

The lower level of the college's Schaap Science Center has an estimated three feet of flood water.

The college bookstore in the DeWitt Center experienced flooding.

A more complete survey of damage will be made at daylight.
--
Tom Renner
Office of Public Relations
Hope College

Storm Reports from Viewers

12:06am the rain has subsided here on the North side of Holland. I have picked up chatter on the scanner that a man has been swept under water near Lincoln Ave. Sounds like Fire Depts. have been called and dive teams on standby. I don\'t know much more than this. I also don't know if your scanners will pick this up.

11:36pm We are having heavy down pours of rain at times and vived lighting,some strong wind gusts

11:14pm The roads on Michigan Ave and 29th street Two cars were stuck and people were pushing them next to eachother

11:12pm I just drove down from Ludington on US 31 to Spring Lake. The rain was so bad that it sounded like rocks hitting the car. I could barely see the lines in the road, so I just suggest that people stay off the road or drive very slowly.

11:11pm Rainfall this morning 2- 95/100 untill noon. this afternoon to 10:40 2- 15/100 this is 2 miles east of Lacey Mich

11:10pm Was driving west on I-96 and just saw a large barn blown over by the wind.

10:58pm Water level up at least five inches at yacht basin marina.

10:57pm On 120th Ave. between Riley and Felch in front of the Meadow Springs Apartments in Holland: Water is four feet deep, higher in some areas. Currently, there are approx. 35-40 automobiles, Minivans and SUV's stranded in various stages of flooding, with motorists desperately trying to push their vehicles out of the road while other larger trucks (semis) are pushing their way through the area. Waves cresting up to five feet and overtaking motorists along the half mile stretch. Creeks and ponds in the area are over flowing, adding to the depth in this area. Please advise your viewers to avoid the area at all cost.

10:48pm Holland: Our neighbors cars are

starting to get covered with water. People are walking down the road to their houses because theirs cars got stuck in the roads with too much water.

10:47pm Alamo Township: Severe winds in Alamo on N 6th st between C ave and Ravine. Huge tree in backyard completely uprooted. Roads blocked by trees down.

10:47pm Grandville: Rain again has picked up along with thunder here at my apartment. Also lighting. 44th& Kenowa is under water, it's by my apartment at Brookmeadow Apts.

10:35pm The hastings area is getting heavy winds and rain with lots of lighting and thunder. Heavy winds, and roads are covered with running water. It seems to be letting up a bit.

10:25pm frequent cloud to ground lightning about 1 hour ago, and a lot of wide spread flooding in down town Wayland

10:18pm We are safely in our cottage on Lake Michigan near Holland State Park and I cannot explain how wild it is out here; we have experienced this first "batch" of rain and storms coming through, and we can see the next "batch" coming in off the coastline with lots of lightning and thunder, and of course high winds. We were driving back on Ottawa Beach Road about an hour ago and witnessed many uprooted trees, at least a dozen downed power lines, and innumerable tree branches (both large and small) scattered all over yards and the road.

We also wanted to inform you that a huge tree and power line is blocking Ottawa Beach Road between Chippewa Dr. and Lake St.

10:13pm Winds were very strong as recently as 10 minutes ago. No rain only strong winds with lightening in the distance. Winds have died down now.

10:13pm Holland is crazy! Looks like a tornado went through on Ottawa Beach road. Power lines and trees down all over . Police have the road blocked off. Stay off the road!!

10:13pm I'm on southside of holland. Meadow lanes townhomes is under water, the entrance is completly flooded the water was up to the bottom of my jeep cherokee door. Washington is also flooded and as bad as it here I wouldn't doubt if the tunnel is closed by tulip airport. I would say its been raining for the last two hours straight.

10:06pm Gusty winds in Schoolcraft, app. 25mph

10:02pm Two tree down along ottawa beach road with power/ phone lines down in Holland.

9:52pm Now it seems to have switched back to cloud to ground in jenison and raining hard again

9:51pm Heavy rain just east of shelbyville, some wind, lots of lightening

9:51pm Grandville: Increase lighting, wind has picked up cloud to ground lighting . I\'m at Brookmeadow Apartments. Rain is picking up now again. It was raing sideways.

9:51pm I have received 4.75" of new rainfall in the last 18 hours in my rain gauge in my garden. I am between Hudsonville and Allendale. 40th and Baldwin Street. Moderate winds, but no hail yet.

9:50pm Most of the roads in Holland are impassable and under water. People need to stay OFF the roads. I was driving on 7th and the intersection of Pine, water was coming up over the hood. Major trees down by Kollen's Park, power outages. The street in front of my house is water from sidewalk to sidewalk

9:49pm Flooding outside FedoraForex YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXws6XWKNDU

9:48pm I just got a call from someone at the Holland power plant who said that had 3 feet of water in parts of the plant and were sandbagging to keep out the flood. A roof drain blew out and they are having major problems.

9:46pm Lots of rain in prarieville and some wind. Not a lot of lightning yet.

9:44pm Due to torrential rains flooding the area, 52nd street is closed at Breton. There are several cars that are stalled on the hill due to the rain. Toe trucks are working their way to pulling the cars out, but at this time the police are redirecting traffic.

9:41pm I live on Hillcrest Way in Logan Estates in Zeeland Michigan. The road is entirely flooded and many cars are trying to make it through and their cars are stalling. Severe lightning, tremendous rain accumulation. I would send photos but I cannot get any to turn out.

9:38pm cars are stuck in the middle of the road floating away, some people are inside those vehicles. Down power lines trees and branches on houses and across the road all over holland.

9:35pm I live near Third st and Stocking st. on the Northwest side of Grand Rapids, the extreme rain that came down so much and so fast has caused our entire gutter system around the top of our home to collapse because of the weight of all the water, also my parents live on the SouthEast area of Grand Rapids, 2 cars stalled in flood water and extreme flooding at the intersection of Burton street and Kalamazoo Ave. Thanks for the good coverage.

9:33pm a lot of rain and lighting in Hastings

9:28pm Hey, We just drove from zeeland to holland. Going under 31 on chicago drive there was about 2 1/2 feet of fast moving water. There were some cars that went through it and were stalling out on the sides of the roads. Comming home there were several spots in low areas that were over a foot deep. Please advise everyone