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Watch out: High water levels near Looking Glass River

Posted at 5:28 AM, Dec 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-31 05:28:15-05

DEWITT, Mich. — A flood warning has been canceled for Clinton County, but high water levels could still pose a threat for drivers.

At Riverside Park, the river water levels are on the rise. Police say the flooding is dangerous because it can overflow and create problems for drivers.

"It's been raining the past few days so the roads are already wet, there's already a little bit of flooding or ponding in the roads so when it starts to freeze tonight it's gonna be really slippery. There will probably be black ice," DeWitt Police Chief Bruce Ferguson said.

Residents say the Looking Glass River in Riverside Park has been experiencing flooding problems for a while.

"It seems like the last couple years the Looking Glass has just been running high," Walter Grysen, a resident in DeWitt, said. "It's been kind of a problem for the roads, and the parks, and the kayakers and people walking along the river, it's been a problem for."

Grysen is part of the Clinton County Water Rescue Team. He said even if you're not behind the wheel, you need to be careful when doing anything around the river.

"A lot of people underestimate the Looking Glass River, but it is, can be, dangerous at times so you need to be real careful. Never go out on the ice on the Looking Glass," Grysen said. "It can be very dangerous and plus, it's running water so if you do fall through, you can be carried underneath the ice which would be a real disaster."

Chief Ferguson said snow plows will be out on the roads if the weather calls for it, but to take extra precautions if you're planning on driving.

"Take a warmer jacket with you, be sure you cover yourself so you know there's no frost bite," Chief Ferguson said. "Slow your speeds down especially when the wind is blowing like this, and you know, it's jerking your car around. So with the black ice and the wind and the snow mixed in on top of that, you won't be able to see, so it could be pretty treacherous."

If the flooding gets any worse, the police will alert the public and block off flooded areas.

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