PORTLAND, Mich. — It's been exactly one month since people living on water street in Portland had to evacuate their homes due to flooding from ice jams in the Grand river.
The city sent out the evacuation notice just after midnight last month and now an old worry has returned for people living there.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for the area.
The city says the beginning of this month showed promise as a significant amount of ice melted and the flow in the Grand river improved, but the below freezing temperatures have caused new ice to form and move downstream.
That has caused renewed fluctuations in the water levels in the Portland area.
City Manager Tutt Gorman is urging people to stay vigilant and be prepared to evacuate because of how unpredictable ice jams can be.
Gorman also says the city has not been able to access the damage already done in the area because the water levels will not stop changing.
The city says it is not expecting a bigger flood again like they saw last month, but with how unpredictable ice jams are the city is urging people to remain vigilant and be ready to move for higher ground if necessary.
Earlier this week, Portland's city council approved the appointment of a resource coordinator to help people affected by the flooding.
The city says the best option for those in need of assistance is to call 2-1-1.
The information will then be sent to the city to identify and set up available resources.
The flood advisory in Portland is in effect until later Wednesday afternoon.
That could certainly change as the day goes on.
