ESCANABA — Delta and Schoolcraft Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Geyer believes Lake Michigan levels will continue to be higher than recorded in 2019.

“Everything the Army Corps of Engineers has said shows record high lake levels again throughout the spring and summer, it could be difficult for some communities,” said Geyer. “Combine the high water levels with high winds and storms, there’s going to be damage.”

According to the United States Department of the Army Detroit District, Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Lakes Michigan-Huron are two inches lower than reported at the end of January, but 15 inches higher than levels reported the end of February 2019. High water levels and potentially record high water levels are expected to persist for at least the next six months. Currently Lakes Michigan-Huron are higher than the previous record, in 1986, by four inches.

“The Weather Service has said the ground is wetter than normal, which will make it harder for the ground to absorb melting snow from the spring thaw,” Geyer said. “There could be possible river flooding, depending on how fast the spring thaw occurs.”

The USACE weekly Great Lakes water level report, produced each Thursday, showed a net change in Michigan-Huron lake levels to be two inches higher by March 28. According to Geyer, the coastlines of Delta and Schoolcraft counties have been impacted due to high water levels and storms. He noted people should be prepared to see more damage to the Gladstone and Manistique boardwalks.

“Schoolcraft County has seen more incidents of erosion because there is more open water northeast of Manistique,” said Geyer. “Escanaba and Gladstone are sheltered by ice.”

A few houses and vacation homes along the coast of lower Michigan have fallen into Lake Michigan due to the high water levels, storms, and wave action eroding the shoreline. Geyer has received a few phone calls from concerned residents who live close to Lake Michigan in Delta and Schoolcraft counties.

“We do not have a ton of homes on bluffs in the U.P,” said Geyer. “Some downstate homeowners are either moving homes back, or demolishing a structure that is a second home. In either case, permits are needed.”

“We do not have a ton of homes on bluffs in the U.P,” said Geyer. “Some downstate homeowners are either moving homes back, or demolishing a structure that is a second home. In either case, permits are needed.”

According to Geyer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Michigan have told individual home owners to take precautions and work with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to protect their homes and get any permits needed to do so. Individuals who are in a flood zone should review their flood insurance and understand the policy.

“Some flood insurance doesn’t cover damage from all types of flooding,” said Geyer.

EGLE has given guidance to wastewater, water treatment facilities so they are not performing overflows, dumping partially treated sewage into the lake, he said.

Geyer advises homeowners to have an emergency plan in place and work with government agencies to protect their properties the best they can.

“High water levels have been predicted for awhile now. Work with EGLE … and with contractors, who are busy all across the state. If your property has flooded in the past get (flood) insurance,” said Geyer. “In your emergency plan write procedures on ways contact each other, a second place to meet, floods happen quickly. A good site to visit for safety ideas is miready — www.michigan.gov/miready. There are great plans, and guidance on the site,” said Geyer.

Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels have been record-breaking so far this year, and according to the predictions of the USACE it will continue to be recording breaking until July.

For more information contact, Geyer at 906-789-5121, and the following websites — www.michigan.gov, www.fema.gov, and www.lre.usace.army.mil.