Many homes and businesses around the Indian River area are still consumed by standing water as northern Michigan continues to grapple with widespread flooding following heavy rainfall and melting snow that pummeled the region earlier this month.
Tuscora Township, located in Cheboygan County, is home to about 3,000 people. Driving by the DeVoe Beach revealed homes dealing with standing water crested onto their property.
In addition, Marina Park, which is located downtown, also saw high standing water.
“One of my friends that I play racquetball with...he had, I don't know, 5 feet of water in his basement,” said John McCoon, a resident from Wolverine, just south of Indian River. “He's lived there for 30 years and has never had a wet basement, but all of a sudden, here it is.”
Boating on the Indian River is currently closed through May 8, according to a U.S. Coast Guard order.
Amid the need for aid, the American Red Cross has sent teams to Tuscora.
“There's four (teams) working Northern Michigan, so they're at other counties. So, we divide and hopefully conquer,” said James Haggerty, who’s been volunteering at the Red Cross for 52 years.
The Red Cross is handing out essential items in the area including cleaning materials, water, and other items.
“Stuff that can help them clean up the house or make up for resources that they don't have,” said Emma Pelini, a first-time Red Cross volunteer from Mount Pleasant.
“If they have a need, they can call the Red Cross, and there's other assistance that's available,” Haggerty said.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s office announced Tuesday, via social media, that free water sample test kits would be available for flood victims. Experts say flood water can be highly contaminated and people on private wells should have them checked before using them again.
“Providing residential water well sampling is a priority for the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC),” an online statement said.
Kits are available for pick up at 825 S Huron St, Suite 1 Cheboygan, MI 49721.
State officials are urging people to report any flood damage to help them understand the scale of destruction for possible federal relief.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Tuscora Township board did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
