East Lansing, MI – A flood warning has been issued for the Red Cedar River at East Lansing as forecasters anticipate rising waters through the weekend into early next week.
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids announced Wednesday that the Red Cedar River is projected to exceed its flood stage of 7.0 feet by Friday morning. Forecasters predict the river will crest at approximately 7.4 feet by Saturday evening before slowly receding below flood levels by late Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service, between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain have already fallen across southern Lower Michigan, including Ingham County. With more rain and thunderstorms expected in the coming days, low-lying areas, parks, and farmland near the river are likely to experience minor flooding.
At 6.5 feet, water begins to encroach on athletic fields at Michigan State University, while areas near the river could see additional flooding if the river reaches or surpasses the projected 7.4-foot crest.
As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the river stood at 5.1 feet, below the flood stage but continuing to rise steadily. The flood warning is currently set to remain in effect from Friday morning through late Tuesday morning.
Residents are urged to avoid flooded areas and heed barricades placed near impassable roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles, and authorities strongly advise drivers to turn around rather than attempt to cross water-covered roads.
For real-time river levels and safety tips, visit weather.gov/grr.
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