Heavy rains, melting snow and ice flood rivers, ditches and fields

 

After two days of persistent rains, rivers, creeks and ditch banks have breached their tops with massive amounts of water flowing in to farm fields, backyards and roads.

Late Tuesday evening, many tributaries were on the rise, causing unsafe driving conditions in some areas. Sanilac County Drain Commissioner Greg Alexander said the Elk Drain and the Black River among those waterways running at high levels. He expects the water to begin receding later this week.

Sanilac County Road Commission Engineer/Manager Robb Falls said there were a handful of roads in the county with water over them, including two culverts requiring repairs. Road Commission employees had placed Water Over Road signs in several locations, according to Falls.

According to the National Weather Service, the Black River near Jeddo, and Mill Creek near Avoca were nearing flood stages. Experts said the forecast calls for the Black River to set a new record sometime this week.  Before rain and melting snow started Monday, the river level was at around 5 feet.

As of early Tuesday afternoon, it had swollen to just over 11 feet. It’s estimated the river will crest at 17 feet by late Wednesday. Mill Creek was over 6 feet Tuesday, with a peak expected at 8.5 feet Wednesday afternoon. Its flood stage is 6 feet.

With persistent, heavy rains this week, several area side roads are becoming flooded and being closed by road commissions in Huron County where Stein Road over Pigeon River in Winsor Township was closed due to water rising up to the bridge.

Grassmere Road in Huron County’s Lake and Hume Townships, and another stretch of the same road in Chandler and Meade Township was also  closed with water over the road. Road Commission officials say it could be at least a week before the roads are reopened.