Michigan Flash Flood Warning Issued for Southern Manistee County as Tippy Dam Releases High Flows Into Manistee River Threatening 7,397 People Until 9:15 AM Monday
MICHIGAN — The National Weather Service in Gaylord has issued an urgent Flash Flood Warning for southern Manistee County in northern Michigan, valid until 9:15 AM EDT Monday April 13, 2026. The warning was triggered after dam operators reported at 9:26 PM EDT that high flows are being released through the Tippy Dam, sending dangerous water surging downstream along the Manistee River and threatening 7,397 people across the affected area. This is an active and life-threatening flooding situation happening right now.
Tippy Dam High Flow Release Triggering Immediate Flash Flooding
Dam operators confirmed at 9:26 PM EDT that high flows are actively being released through the Tippy Dam, and that release is directly causing flash flooding downstream along the Manistee River. The hazard is not rainfall-driven but dam-release driven, meaning the water surge is immediate, significant, and already moving downstream toward populated areas and campgrounds along the river corridor.
Flooding is actively occurring along the Manistee River as of the warning issuance and conditions will continue to deteriorate through the overnight hours until the warning expires at 9:15 AM Monday morning.
High Bridge Campground Just 3.5 Miles Downstream in Immediate Danger
The nearest downstream location from the Tippy Dam is High Bridge Campground, located approximately 3.5 miles from the dam. This campground and every area along the Manistee River downstream from the Tippy Dam are in immediate danger from the surging floodwaters being released through the dam’s floodgates.
Anyone currently at or near High Bridge Campground or any location along the downstream Manistee River corridor must move to higher ground immediately without delay. Do not wait to see how high the water rises before acting. By the time floodwaters are visibly threatening, the window to escape safely may already be gone.
Move to Higher Ground Immediately and Do Not Drive Into Flood Waters
The National Weather Service is issuing direct and urgent instructions to all residents and visitors in the affected zone. Anyone in low lying areas below the Tippy Dam must move to higher ground immediately. This is not a suggestion. This is a life-saving directive that must be followed without hesitation.
Do not attempt to drive across any flooded roadway under any circumstances. Do not walk through flood waters either. Even shallow moving water from a dam release carries far more force than it appears and can knock a person off their feet or sweep a vehicle off a road instantly.
Top cities under this Flash Flood Warning include Manistee, Parkdale, Eastlake, and Stronach. All residents in these communities must act right now. Stay safe and follow updates at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
