In January, an ice jam caused the Muskegon River near Big Rapids to back up and flood a few miles behind the jam. As a result, 90 homes along the river experienced severe flooding. Most residents had less than an hour to evacuate before their homes began filling with water and ice.

More recently, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services collaborated with the Southern Baptist Convention in clean-up and recovery efforts. Nearly 500 meals, drinks and snacks have been distributed to volunteers and those directly affected by the flooding by the Emergency Disaster Services Mobile Kitchen. Due to continuing cold weather and the fact that remaining ice in some yards and homes still measures over a foot thick, operation recovery has been suspended until April 15.

Currently, The Salvation Army’s role is to supply meals for volunteers who are participating in clean-up activities as well as gathering damage assessment information from the Southern Baptist Convention and the local township. Future plans include dispersing funds raised by the Muskegon River Association and the local community to homeowners affected by the flooding. It is estimated that recovery efforts will continue into late spring or early summer.