The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for Grand River at Jackson affecting Jackson County. Previously, this warning was to take effect on Monday morning.
2 to 2.5 inches of rain has fallen overnight across much of the area between Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Jackson. This water will be finding its way into the rivers over the next few days and will lead to significant increases in water level. Minor flooding is expected at numerous locations, with a few spots going into moderate flood levels.
Additional precipitation today will be falling as freezing rain, sleet, or snow, at most locations except near Jackson, where temperatures will stay warm enough for regular rain. This will somewhat limit how much additional water is able to start flowing into the rivers.
The Winter Storm Warning for Jackson County remains in effect until 7 AM Sunday. Heavy mixed precipitation is possible as temperatures drop later this afternoon and evening. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of one tenth to three tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. As of 1 PM Saturday, precipitation in Jackson County continues as rain with temperatures at just above freezing.
At 11:30 AM Saturday the Grand River stage was 13.9 feet. Flood stage is 14.0 feet. Moderate Flooding is forecast.
The river is expected to rise above flood stage this afternoon and continue to rise to near 15.3 feet by Thursday afternoon. Water levels may approach the previous record crest.
At 15.0 feet expect moderate flooding of residences along High Street, Lewis Street, and Losey Street. High water would disrupt traffic and damage residences.
This crest compares to a previous crest of 15.1 feet on Aug 16 2016 and the all-time record crest of 15.4 feet on June 25, 1968.