MECOSTA County, Mich. –A flood watch continues for residents in Mecosta Township whose homes are on the Muskegon River. An ice jam is causing the water to back up, and the river has risen.
John Ropolewski’s cabin sits on the banks of the river. He said he heard about the ice jam while watching the news on Thursday night. His permanent residence is in Grand Rapids. His Mecosta Township cabin is on 12 Mile Road and 183rd Avenue. The National Weather Service said this is the area threatened.
“I came up this morning to check it out and see how things are going up here,” Ropolewski said.
It’s a trip he’s made many times over the past 60 years. However, the traditionally peaceful getaway has turned worrisome.
“Last year was the first time we’ve had any problems with the flooding,” he said his cabin got four feet of water after January’s ice jam.
“We don’t want to go through that again,” he said.
Now Ropolewski is keeping a watchful eye on the water level, and moving items that are susceptible to water damage. One resident working closely with Mecosta County Emergency Management said an email listserv will be created so that residents will be notified immediately if and when the water level becomes a threat.
