BROOKS TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Emergency managers in Newaygo County are urging residents and those on the Muskegon River to use extreme caution because of a landslide hazard.
Abby Watkins is the county's Emergency Services director. She WOOD Radio News in a telephone interview the specific location is between mile markers 3 and 4, which are downstream of the Croton Dam in the Carmichael Flats and Sand Hill stretch of the river. That is between Pine Avenue and S. Hazelwood Avenue.
"We have high banks with sandy soils with active landslides going on them," Watkins said. "They're unstable, and this is unstable ground. So, please use extreme caution in these areas.
The Newaygo County Sheriff's Office says people should avoid traveling close to the shoreline there, and remain alert for a potential sudden bank collapse, falling trees and strong or unpredictable currents.
The authorities are monitoring conditions closely after property owners reported significant movements along the riverbanks to local authorities.
Watkins was asked how often landslides historically occur there.
"Specifically, during high floods," she replied. "Especially on banks that have a curve to them. We typically deal with these issues with high-water events. So, we saw some of those in 2014. And because this was very similar to our 2014 flood, unfortunately we're experiencing some similar situations"
Record-high water levels were reported along the Muskegon River in April.
Please avoid traveling close to the shoreline in this area and remain alert for:
• Falling trees or debris
• Sudden bank collapse
• Mud and sediment entering the water
• Strong or unpredictable currents near slide areas
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