Midland County Flooding Update: May 20, 1:45 p.m.

As of 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, the Tittabawassee River level is 35.013 feet and rising with an expected crest of 38 feet around 8 p.m. tonight. A flood warning for Midland County remains in effect indefinitely at this time. Residents are reminded that they should remain diligent and follow all current evacuation protocol despite fair weather conditions.

At this time, approximately 11,000 people are evacuating from their residences in Midland County: 10,000 within the City of Midland and 950 within townships and villages. No fatalities or significant injuries have been reported.

Residents are strongly urged to continue evacuating

City of Midland: The following residents are advised to evacuate:  residents living within the shaded areas of the map located at https://bit.ly/damfailure2020; those living south of US 10 and west of Eastman Avenue should also evacuate; residents contacted by State, City or County public safety officers.

County of Midland: The following residents are advised to evacuate: Residents living with the shaded areas of the map under the “Edenville Dam Failure” layer at http://link.fetchgis.com/b6f5016d; Midland Township residents on Ashby Road between Poseyville and Patterson roads; Homer Township residents residing on East Wheeler Road or on Homer Road; Residents in Lincoln Township east of M-30 on any roads between Price and Wackerly.

Residents who do not have a safe place to stay should come to one of the following shelters:

• West Midland Family Center – 4011 W. Isabella Road
• Midland High School – 1301 Eastlawn Drive
• Bullock Creek High School – 1420 S. Badour Road (pet friendly)
• Coleman High School – 4951 N. Lewis Road
• North Midland Family Center – 2601 E. Shearer Road (pet friendly)

Residents are advised not to return to evacuated homes until informed by official channels that it is safe to do so. Based upon current conditions, it is anticipated that it will take several days before evacuated residents will be able to return to their homes. When it is safe to return, information will be shared via the following channels:

• www.midland911.org
• www.cityofmidlandmi.gov
• Facebook channels for the following entities:
  • Midland County Emergency Management (MI)
  • Midland County 911
  • City of Midland, Michigan – Municipal Government
• Twitter: @CityofMidlandMI
• Twitter: @MidlandCountyMI
• Call 2-1-1
• Emergency text and email alerts through Nixle.com
• Additional news releases to local media outlets

Please do not call 911 to inquire about the status of a residence or if it is safe to return home.

Many roads in Midland County and the City of Midland remain closed due to flooded conditions. Due to the rapidly-changing nature of this event, additional road closures may be in effect since this release was issued. Residents are encouraged to visit www.midland911.org/CurrentAlerts/CurrentFloodedRoadClosuresandRiverLevel for a map containing current road closures and other information.

Residents are advised to obey all road closure signs and to stay clear of standing water, flooded areas, and floating debris.  Do not attempt to drive or walk through any standing water.  Residents should take extra precaution where electrical items may be submerged. Rumors of an individual being swept away by flood waters are unfounded.

Midland County residents whose residence have groundwater wells that have been submerged by flood waters are advised not to consume their drinking water until it has been disinfected and tested. Please visit http://co.midland.mi.us/health for more information. A boil water advisory has been implemented for residents in Water District 1 in Hope and Edenville townships due to proximity to the Edenville Dam failure.

City of Midland residents and township customers who receive water service from the City of Midland Water Treatment Plant are not impacted and may continue to consume drinking water.

The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library has received flooding in its lower level, which includes Midland Community Television (MCTV), due to flooding of the Snake Creek. Damage mitigation efforts are currently underway by City staff. More updates will be provided as additional details are made available.

Evacuations of all residents of the City of Midland’s Riverside Place senior living community were completed around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. Most residents have taken shelter with family members, while those without local family members are being sheltered at Midland High School. Riverside Place is currently taking on water in its lower level due to flooding of the Tittabawassee River.