City buying 50,000 sand bags in case of flooding

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Grand Rapids plans to buy another 50,000 sand bags to help better prepare for the potential for flooding.

The Grand Rapids Press (https://bit.ly/NYDwgt ) reports City Manager Greg Sundstrom says the chance of a significant flood that breaches its flood walls is “extremely small.” He says it’s better to be safe, however, and noted that sand bags will last for years.

The area was hit by major flooding last year.

The Grand River through downtown Grand Rapids rose above its banks earlier this week, causing water to cover some of the Riverwalk path.

The City Commission last month authorized the purchase large sand bags to encircle the wastewater treatment plant, if necessary. The city already has 100,000 smaller sand bags in reserve and plans to buy 50,000 more.

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Information from: The Grand Rapids Press, https://www.mlive.com/grand-rapids