Full Notification

* Additional widespread heavy rainfall is expected tonight and again on Wednesday night. As all of this water works through the river systems, flooding is expected to worsen. 

WHAT TO EXPECT
​​​*Based on the current forecast, it is expected to see MAGOR FLOODING on the Muskegon River, with river levels cresting on Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18
*Expect flooding conditions similar to if not a little worse than the February 2018 Flood.

The following forecast is as of the 11 AM update from the River Forecast Center on 04/14/2026. Reliability of the forecast is based on current and forecasted river, weather and reservoir conditions. 

The Muskegon River at Croton is expected to crest Friday evening (04/17/2026) at 

• Moderate Flood Stage of 11.50 Feet at Croton (matching the 2018 Flood)
  • Minor Flood Stage is at 9.0 Feet
  • Closure of river access sites and public boat launches at 10.0 Feet
  • Moderate Flood Stage is at 11.0 Feet
  • Expect power disconnected to areas inundated by flood water
  • Major Flood Stage at 12.0 Feet with the closure of Bridge Street Bridge and Maple Island Bridge

The River below Newaygo is expected to crest on Saturday, April 18^th in the early morning hours at

• Major Flood Stage and setting a record of 16.50 Feet at Newaygo (previous record was 15.1 Feet set on 02/21/2018)
  • Minor Flood Stage is at 11.0 Feet
  • Moderate Flood Stage is at 14.0 Feet
  • Closure of river access sites and public boat launches
  • Major Flood Stage is at 15.0 Feet
  • Expect power disconnected to areas inundated by flood water
  • Closure of Bridge Street Bridge in Newaygo may be possible

The River at Bridgeton is expected to crest on Saturday, April 18^th in the morning at

• Major Flood Stage and setting a record of 18.0 feet at Bridgeton (previous record was 16.8 Feet set on 02/21/2018)
  • Minor Flood Stage is at 13.0 Feet
  • Moderate Flood Stage is at 16.0 Feet
  • Closure of river access sites and public boat launches
  • Major Flood Stage is at 17.0 Feet
  • Expect power disconnected to areas inundated by flood water
  • Closure of Maple Island Bridge on the County line may be possible

CURRENT CONDITIONS
Three USGS Streamgages are used to determine the river levels.  
As of 3:00 pm, the Muskegon River near

• ACTION STAGE: USGS Croton Streamgage was at 8.83 feet with flows at 6,800 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 9.0 feet.
• USGS Newaygo Streamgage was at 11.58 feet with flows at 6,920 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 11.0 feet.
• USGS Bridgeton Streamgage was at 13.10 feet with flows at 6,470 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is at 13.0 feet.  

Current levels can be viewed here: https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/grr 

AREAS IMPACTED

• Anticipate the following areas to be impacted by flood waters on the Muskegon River
  • Leisure Land Subdivision in Bridgeton Township
  • Sycamore Flats in Ashland Township
  • 100^th Ave in Ashland Township
  • Old Women’s Bend in Garfield Township
  • Anderson Flat’s in Garfield Township
  • Fright Hill in Bridgeton Township
  • Homesite Park in Bridgeton Township
  • River Ridge in Ashland Township
  • Bell Meadow Drive in Bridgeton Township
  • Devil’s Hole in Brooks Township
  • Sarrell Street in the City of Newaygo
• Anticipate Public River Access Sites to be closed if the Muskegon River reaches
  • A height of 10.0 Feet at the USGS Croton  River Gage
  • A height of 13.0 Feet at the USGS Newaygo River Gage
  • A height of 15.0 Feet at the USGS Bridgeton River Gage
• Anticipate the following bridges to be closed if the Muskegon River reaches 
  • A height of 14.0 feet at the USGS Newaygo River Gage
  • A height of 16.0 feet at the USGS Bridgeton River Gage

ROAD CLOSURES
Currently there are no road closures due to flooding. 

GET READY – PREPARE TO EVACUATE IF YOU LIVE WITHIN THE AREA IMPACTED! 
This is a rapidly developing situation. Watch for rapidly changing water levels. Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened. Residents within the areas anticipated to be impacted by flood waters may be directed to evacuate.
 
Follow these checklists (if time allows) to give you and your home the best chance of surviving a flood.
Inside the House

• Shut and lock all windows and doors.
• Gather and elevate important documents, belongings, furniture, and other priceless items including pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and other valuables. 
• Check your emergency preparedness kit and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate. This includes prescription medications.
• Prepare to unplug appliances and turn off your main breaker in your homes electrical box if you need to evacuate.

Outside

• Gather up items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, grills, etc.).
• Strap down propane tanks.
• Prepare to turn off propane tanks if you need to evacuate.
• Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
• Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
• Don’t wait for an evacuation directive if you feel threatened.
• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.

 Animals

• Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
• Check your emergency preparedness kit for your pets and store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate.
• If you need to evacuate, take your pets with you.

FLOODING SAFETY

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
• Do not drive over bridges that are over fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

• ONLY CALL 9-1-1 TO REPORT EMERGENCIES!   Emergency operators and phone lines are needed to support this incident, please continue to monitor Nixle for updates or call 2-1-1 (not 9-1-1) for general safety information.
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED!   Continue monitoring your radio, Nixle, and Newaygo ES’s Facebook Page for additional information.
• THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!     

Continuing Information Will Be Released Via NIXLE
Newaygo County Emergency Services is coordinating with Consumers Energy and the National Weather Service Grand Rapids Office to actively monitor the changing conditions and communicate information out to residences impacted by the rising floodwaters. As the situation changes, additional information will be released by the Newaygo County Emergency Operations Center utilizing Nixle. Please visit http://www.nixle.com/ to register for alerts and view emergency information for where you live.