Flooding in Michigan, February 21 to 28, 1997

A spring like storm system developed over Western Texas on the 20th and tracked into Southern Michigan on Friday, the 21st. A warm moist flow of air from the Gulf of Mexico fed the storm and produced a few thunderstorms with moderate to heavy amounts of rain across Southwest Lower Michigan. The rain began on the afternoon of the 20th and continued through the 21st before changing to snow later that evening. Widespread flooding occurred and water covered roads in 14 counties. Comstock Park, located along the Grand River, was hardest hit with a crest 3 feet above flood stage, and the river remaining above flood stage for 12 days.Rivers equaled or exceeded flood stage at the following locations:Pine River Alma Rogue River RockfordKalamazoo River FennvilleSt. Joseph River NilesMaple River Maple RapidsLooking Glass River EagleThornapple River HastingsGrand River Ionia Lowell Ada Comstock ParkLittle Muskegon River MorleyWhite River WhitehallPere Marquette River Scottville No significant flood damages were reported during this event and no lives were lost. Most of the river flooding resulted in flooding s of low lands, some secondary roads, and backup of some sewer and septic systems.