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Flood — Ottawa, MI

May 21, 2004

The biggest and longest duration flooding event in the past ten to twenty years occurred across southwestern and south central lower Michigan from May 20th through the third of June. Flooding in mid May resulted in very high river levels and the ground was saturated on the 20th. Numerous thunderstorm complexes and areas of heavy rainfall developed repeatedly in the vicinity of a quasi stationary frontal boundary draped across southern lower Michigan. The heaviest rain fell on Saturday, May 22

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5411108). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Ottawa, MI

This event is one of many recorded floods in Ottawa County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View Ottawa County flood data →

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