Flood Warnings in effect for the Rifle River, the Tittabawassee River & Kearsley Creek.

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - *This post was updated at 5:50PM to include the new Flood Warning for the Tittabawassee River in Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties*

An abundance of heavy rainfall across Mid-Michigan the last two days in addition to rainfall and snow melt over the last month has contributed to high water levels across Mid-Michigan, including the Rifle River in Arenac County, the Tittabawassee River in Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties and Kearsley Creek in Genesee County.

What is a Flood Watch? The National Weather Service, who issues these headlines, defines them as meaning “that flooding is imminent or has been reported along a river”. But, it is important to remember that there are different stages to a flood: Minor, Moderate, and Major. Both the Rifle River and Kearsley Creek waterways are currently in, and will peak in, Minor Flood Stage. Only minor impacts are expected. The Tittabawasee river is currently below flood stage, but is forecast to peak in Moderate flood stage. Only minor impacts are expected.

FLOOD WARNING DETAILS:

Below is a look at the area currently under a Flood Warning along the Kearsley Creek in Genesee County (shaded in Green).

- This Flood Warning is in effect until 11 PM Sunday April 2nd, 2023.

- Flood stage of the Kearsley Creek near Davison is 10ft. The most recent observation is 10.25ft. This is considered Minor Flood Stage. The forecast maximum crest is 10.3ft which is considered Minor Flood Stage this evening, and fall throughout the day tomorrow.

- Some details from the National Weather Service: “Water reaches the bottom of the Davison Road bridge and will begin to dam up against it. Flooding of some homes occurs just upstream of the Lippincott Blvd bridge”.

Below is a look at the area currently under a Flood Warning along the Tittabawassee River in Midland, Bay and Saginaw Counties (shaded in Green).

- This Flood Warning is in effect until 11:26 AM Monday April 3rd, 2023.

- Flood stage of the Tittabawassee River near Midland is 24ft. The most recent observation is 21.08ft. This is not yet within flood stage. However, the forecast maximum crest is 25ft which is considered Moderate Flood Stage tomorrow evening, and fall throughout the night tomorrow and Monday morning.

- Some details from the National Weather Service: “Between 24.5 and 25 feet, St Charles Drive floods and West St Andrews begins to flood at Snake Creek.”.

Below is a look at the area currently under a Flood Warning along the Rifle River in Arenac County (shaded in Green).

- This Flood Warning is in effect until 9:12 AM Monday April 3rd, 2023.

- Flood stage of the Rifle River near Sterling is 6ft. The most recent observation is 5.8ft. This is considered Minor Flood Stage. The forecast maximum crest is 6.4ft which is considered Minor Flood Stage tomorrow afternoon, and fall throughout the night tomorrow.

- Some details from the National Weather Service: “At 6.0 feet, High water begins to impact canoe livery at River View Campground”.

Being early spring, we are used to this in Michigan, and these particular Flood Warnings should be low impact as only minor flood stage is expected. To learn more about flood safety, visit: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood.