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Flooding Causes State Of Emergency In Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) - The Grand River in Grand Rapids is expected to crest early Monday morning at 22.3 ... six feet above flood stage.

Now it's a state of emergency in Grand Rapids because of flooding following days of heavy rains.

Some streets are closed and there's basement flooding in many homes and businesses in Grand Rapids.  Assistant to the city manager, Tom Almonte says the Grand River is at 21.79 feet now.

"We know the ..tomorrow morning it's gonna crest. The highest point is gonna be 22.3 (feet), which is below our 100 year flood level of 25.47, so we know that ... we're not concerned that the river is gonna overflow in our downtown."

Almonte' says there's been basement flooding of homes and businesses and some streets are closed by flooding, brought on by heavy rains.

"They may need to use sand bags to protect their homes, so we're very pleased with the response that we have."

But, it'll still be about six feet above flood stage. Almonte says volunteers have been using sand bags to protect homes and businesses.

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