Kalamazoo, Mich. — Heavy rain on Wednesday caused widespread flooding throughout Kalamazoo, leading to road closures and significant disruptions for residents and drivers. As of 4 p.m., the city recorded over 2.33 inches of rain, with areas prone to flooding seeing the most impact.
Several roads across the city were closed, including key intersections and thoroughfares such as Howard Street at Crosstown Parkway, Maple Street at Crosstown, and Crosstown from Park Street to Rose Street. Additional closures affected Forest Street from Rose to Crosstown, Park Street from Crosstown to Den Adel Court, and sections of Crosstown from Sheldon Street to Pitcher Street. While some detours were in place, the flooding made it difficult for residents to navigate the city.
Local resident Jeremy Crawford, who lives near the intersection of Forest and Rose, has become accustomed to the frequent flooding in the area. “The water does come pretty close, and it’s kind of concerning, water damage, but thankfully it hasn’t reached the house quite yet,” he said. Crawford noted that it often takes a week for the water to recede, leaving the neighborhood navigating detours and road closures for an extended period.
Jonathan Conley, another local resident, echoed similar sentiments, mentioning that his family and friends have also dealt with the seasonal flooding for years. “This is the same reaction we get every year,” Conley remarked. “They flood real fast.” Conley expressed frustration with the ongoing issue, calling for more effective measures to prevent flooding. “It takes a toll on a lot of people in this neighborhood,” he added. “It ain’t just me; it takes a toll on drivers too, when they have to come down here and they can’t take the route they need to go.”
While residents have become familiar with the annual flooding, many agree that improvements need to be made to better manage stormwater and prevent widespread disruptions. “It’s going to take a while to clear up,” Conley said, referencing the need for continued efforts to manage the situation. “Everybody needs to stick together right now, because if we don’t, it’s going to be chaos out here.”
The Kalamazoo Police Department and Public Works crews were on the scene to assist with the response. In particular, authorities helped rescue a woman who became stranded in about three feet of water near Cork Street, just east of Burdick Street. A News 8 crew reported seeing the woman’s van partially submerged in the water before the police officer assisted her. Thankfully, the driver was unharmed.
The flooding in this area was partly caused by blocked storm drains, which crews were actively working to clear. Kalamazoo Emergency Management issued warnings for drivers to avoid high-risk areas, such as Cork Street, Burdick Street, and sections of Lake Street, S. Westnedge, and Crosstown. The department advised people to follow the critical safety guideline: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Authorities reminded the public that it is difficult to assess the depth of standing water and to never attempt to drive through flooded areas.
While some drains were cleared by evening, the city’s Emergency Management Director warned that high water levels could persist through Thursday morning and possibly longer. The continued rainfall could worsen the situation and delay full recovery.
With more rain on the horizon, the community is bracing for more challenges as residents and public officials work together to manage the ongoing flood risk. In the meantime, local officials are advising everyone to stay informed through the Kalamazoo Emergency Management Facebook page for real-time updates on road closures and flooding conditions.
