Grand Traverse County declares emergency as Boardman River flooding worsens

Water from the Boardman River overwhelmed streets, parks and construction areas across Traverse City and nearby townships, forcing Grand Traverse County to declare a local state of emergency as flooding worsened along the river corridor. County officials said the declaration was meant to speed coordination of public safety resources and strengthen response and recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

In Traverse City, S. Cedar Street between W. Front Street and Sixth Street was temporarily closed after water covered the road. Portions of Lot K in the alley south of State Street also remained shut because of erosion near the FishPass project, and the city said the Boardman, also known as the Ottaway, affected several parts of downtown Traverse City and Hannah Park. Officials warned that more rain could drive water higher and make already dangerous areas harder to reach.

The FishPass site took a direct hit when a retaining wall failed along the alley off Union Street between Rotary Square and FishPass. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, the wall at Lot K gave way and allowed water to flow around the steel sheet pile from the downstream side into the cofferdam. Contractors brought in material, blocked the flow of water and began installing additional dewatering pumps. No one was injured, and no major equipment was damaged aside from the loss of small tools. Lot K will stay closed until pumping is finished and the site can be inspected for safety.

The flooding was also forcing evacuations in East Bay Township, where Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority evacuated eight people by boat from homes along E River Road and took them to family members. Crews also worked to secure damaged propane tanks in the area as water levels continued to rise.

Officials said residents should avoid flood-impacted areas, turn around instead of driving through flooded roadways, and call 911 if they are in immediate danger or need evacuation help. Grand Traverse Central Dispatch said non-emergency evacuation questions should go to 231-922-4550. The county also warned people not to return to flood-impacted homes until it is safe, citing structural damage, electrical hazards and contaminated water.

The threat was not isolated to Grand Traverse County. The National Weather Service said another storm system could bring 1 to 2 more inches of rain, while the Michigan State Police Emergency Operations Center said dam safety engineers were checking critical dams, including Union Street Dam in Grand Traverse County, as flooding threatened infrastructure across northern Michigan.