GRAND RAPIDS, MI-- The Grand River in Western Michigan has risen to above-record levels, driving hundreds of people from their homes and flooding parts of downtown Grand Rapids.
The National Weather Service says the river peaked Sunday night in downtown Grand Rapids around 21.85 feet, topping the previous record of 19.64 feet set in 1985.
The river also crested around 17.8 feet at Comstock Park in Kent County's Plainfield Township, north of Grand Rapids, edging a record of 17.75 feet set in 1948. At least 100 homes in the Comstock Park area were reported to be flooded.
In Grand Rapids, the river could stay above flood stage until later this week.
MLive.com reports Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell estimated Sunday that city would spend at least $500,000 on flood defenses.
