Flash Flood in Michigan, June 18, 1996

Name: Flash Flood in Michigan, June 18, 1996
Start: 1996-06-18T12:00
End: 1996-06-18T22:00
Location: Michigan

June 18, 1996 · NWS GRR · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Previously rain soaked areas around Holland received several periods of heavy showers throughout the day. Between 11 AM and1 PM nearly 3 inches of rain was received.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $100,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GRR wrote it up.

Previously rain soaked areas around Holland received several periods of heavy showers throughout the day. Between 11 AM and1 PM nearly 3 inches of rain was received. The total for the day was 4.41 inches with 3.46 inches having fallen on the previous day.Numerous roads and streets were closed for a time, including US31 near Lincoln Avenue. Motorists were stranded in five feet deep water at this intersection. Dozens of homes and businesses were flooded. An 8 year old girl was swept into a culvert from a rush of water and was rescued more that 200 ft away with only minor cuts and bruises.

The radar

The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 53 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Ottawa

When: June 18, 12:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Ottawa County, Holland
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 43.003, -86.179 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Michigan in 1996 Every state in 1996 This day in weather history Warnings in Michigan, June 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5561648.