NWS Warns of Potential Flooding in West Michigan After Heavy Rainfall
- A widespread flood watch is in effect for 81 of Michigan's 83 counties through late Thursday, April 16, 2026, following several days of excessive rainfall.
- The current weather pattern has brought a combination of heavy rains, high winds, and hail reaching the size of golf balls in certain locations.
- Significant flooding concerns are centered in Newaygo County, where portions of the Muskegon River are expected to reach record levels.
A widespread flood watch is in effect for 81 of Michigan’s 83 counties through late Thursday, April 16, 2026, following several days of excessive rainfall. The National Weather Service (NWS) initially placed the entire state under a flood watch on the morning of Tuesday, April 14, before revising the alert on Wednesday, April 15, to exclude Gogebic and Ontonagon counties in the Upper Peninsula.
The current weather pattern has brought a combination of heavy rains, high winds, and hail reaching the size of golf balls in certain locations. Meteorologists warn that the excessive rainfall experienced over the last several days will continue through the upcoming weekend, compounding existing flooding issues across the state.
Newaygo County Flood Risks
Significant flooding concerns are centered in Newaygo County, where portions of the Muskegon River are expected to reach record levels. Forecasts indicate the river will likely crest at approximately one foot above previous records on Saturday, April 18.
Specific projected crest levels for the Muskegon River include:
- 16.2 feet at Newaygo
- 17.8 feet at Bridgeton
The Muskegon River near the Croton Dam is also forecast to flood on Saturday, April 18, though it is expected to reach only moderate levels of flooding with a projected crest of 11.2 feet.
Kent County and Regional Impact
In Kent County, the NWS forecasts only minor flooding. Several areas along Buck Creek, the Rogue River, the Thornapple River, and the Grand River are expected to reach the action flood stage.
While the Grand River mostly returned to non-flooding conditions late on Tuesday, April 14, the continued heavy rainfall is expected to push the river back into the action stage. The river is projected to crest between late Saturday night, April 17, and early Sunday morning, April 18.
Projected crest levels for the Grand River include approximately 16.4 feet in Grand Rapids and 13.6 feet in Comstock Park.
Severe Weather Context
The flooding follows a period of volatile weather in West Michigan. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms swept through the region during the week, bringing threats of severe weather and the possibility of a tornado on the night of Tuesday, April 14.
The NWS continues to warn that flooding remains possible across West Michigan as the region continues to experience excessive rainfall through the weekend.