DELTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The recent wave of spring rainstorms has not only brought flowers to mid-Michigan but also intensified flooding issues for homeowners in parts of the region. One area especially affected is Delta Township, where local residents are facing repeated water damage due to heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage systems.
Harris Edwards Jr., a homeowner whose property is situated near a creek, has experienced firsthand the devastating impact of frequent flooding. His home, built atop the creek, has been prone to water intrusion for years. Edwards expressed his frustration, describing the problem as a recurring nightmare.
“This was nowhere near the worst of it,” said Edwards. “We’ve had water literally cross all the way to my neighbor’s yard, and into his house. The water gets as far as his driveway and into his home.”
Edwards’ basement has flooded multiple times, despite his extensive efforts to mitigate the issue. Over the years, he has spent approximately $10,000 installing improvements such as sump pumps, French drains, and gutter modifications, but the flooding continues to persist. He believes the problem stems from water entering from a different location along the creek, a concern he’s raised with the Eaton County Drain Commissioner.
“I’ve spoken to the Drain Commissioner several times, but I haven’t seen any progress,” Edwards said. “Whenever we get a full day of heavy rain, the creek floods. Even though it may look calm now, it doesn’t take much for the water to overflow into our yards.”
Despite his ongoing attempts to solve the problem, including replacing sump pumps multiple times and installing a backup jet pump that operates off city water during power outages, Edwards finds the flooding issue remains unresolved.
“I’ve probably gone through four or five different sump pumps. I have a jet pump that operates off city water when the power goes out, but still, we get a little bit of water every now and then,” he explained.
Local government offices, including the Eaton County Drain Commissioner and the Delta Township Storm Management Office, have been contacted regarding the issue. However, as of now, there has been no official response or indication of plans to address the ongoing flooding concerns.
For residents like Edwards, the combination of frequent rainfall and inadequate drainage has created a stressful and costly situation. With no clear solution on the horizon, many homeowners are left wondering if and when the local government will take action to alleviate the persistent flooding problems in the area.
