Flood warning issued for Chocolay River

MARQUETTE — The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Upper Michigan: Chocolay River near Harvey affecting Marquette County.

Heavy rainfall and runoff over the Upper and Lower sections of the Chocolay River Basin will enable the river to continue to slowly rise to crest late this afternoon at around 11.0 feet. A general four to five inches of rain has fallen over much of the Chocolay River Basin in the past 48 hours. No additional rainfall is expected for the next few days, so expect levels to slowly fall after the river crests later this afternoon. The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued a:

* Flood Warning for The Chocolay River near Harvey.

* until Friday morning.

* At 8:25 AM Thursday the stage was 10.8 feet.

* Flood stage is 10.0 feet.

* Minor flooding is occurring and Minor flooding is forecast.

* Forecast: The river will continue rising to near 11.2 feet by late this afternoon. The river will then slowly fall below flood stage tonight.

* At 11.5 feet: The fishing pier and parking lot near the M-28 bridge will be under water. Timber Lane and Riverside Road may be closed. Homes along Timber Lane and some along Riverside Road will experience extensive flooding.

* At 10.0 feet: Water inundates the entire parking lot at the M-28 bridge, and the fishing pier begins to be submerged. Water inundates low lying areas along Timber Lane and Riverside Road downstream of the river gauge site. &&

Safety message: Even 6 inches of fast moving flood water can knock you off your feet, and a depth of 2 feet will float your car. Never try to walk, swim, or drive through such swift water. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around, and go another way. Additional weather and river information is available at www.weather.gov/mqt.

The next statement will be issued by 5:00 P.M. EDT.