June 13, 2008

**********NEWS ALERT - SEVERE WEATHER DAMAGE IN MASON & MANISTEE COUNTIES***********

Due to severe flooding, Mason County is in a state of emergency.  Roads have been shut down throughout the county and there is no passable route between Ludington & Manistee. US 31 is currently closed.  Residents are being advised to take US-10 to M-37 to M-55.  There is severe flooding, bridges are washed out and roads have caved in.  Use extreme caution when driving anywhere near Ludington, Scottville, Fountain, Freesoil and Manistee.

Here in the Manistee area, the damage is also quite severe.  We spent most of the night in our basement with only candles, watching the trees turn sideways and fearing tornadoes.   Fortunately we did not lose any trees.  Many of you know that a tree outside our home was struck by lightening just last month causing severe electrical damage.  We unplugged everything this time!  But our kids are still terrified of lightening!

Many of our friends have water in their basements and trees down.  Most of the city is still without power and many roads are blocked off due to fallen trees and electrical wires.  We are fortunate enough to have our power back on since Friday morning and internet came back just this evening. 

I am compiling a list of links with to the local newspapers & tv stations.  Please check www.ManisteeHomes.net frequently for this information. 

Ludington Daily News - Gov. Declares state of emergency (6-13-08)

Holland Sentinel  - Violent Storm Brings Flooding (6-13-08)

Ludington Daily News - Beaches Closed (6-13-08)

Map of Road Closures from the Ludington Daily News (6-13-08)

Images of the Flooding from the Ludington Daily News (6-13-08)

I will also be posting some pictures later this evening.

As always,  feel free to email me with any questions.  I can be reached at Meagan@MeaganKempf.com

**********************************

Thank you for visiting my website, your source for Manistee real estate! I maintain a few other sites in addition to www.manisteehomes.net.        Visit my main real estate website at www.MeaganKempf.com.         For great deals, bank-owned, foreclosures & REO homes in the area, please visit www.ManisteeForeclosures.com. Whether you are buying or selling a home, I want to earn your business.  Feel free to browse this site for information on real estate available on Lake Michigan, Portage Lake and the communities of Manistee, Onekama, Pierport, Arcadia, Elberta, Frankfort, Beulah, Benzonia, Honor, Bear Lake, Wellston, Kaleva, Brethren, Dublin, Irons, Freesoil, Scottville, Ludington and more.  If you are searching for waterfront property or a lakefront home, just let me know!  Some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers are in this area, including:  Lake Michigan, Portage Lake, Manistee Lake, Bear Lake, Portage Lake, Crystal Lake, Chief Lake, Gun Lake, Sauble Lakes, Harper Lake, the Little Manistee River, the Big Manistee River, Big Bear Creek, Bar Lake, Ford Lake, Bass Lake and many more.