Flooding

The Texas Township Board and staff are aware of the many flooding and water level issues affecting our residents. Historically, Texas Township has had many lakes and wetlands that collect runoff during storms but does not have a history of significant flooding.

In 2018, however, groundwater and lake levels did not recede following rain events as in the past.  Typically, the evaporation in the summer is substantial. However, lake levels have been two or more feet above normal and are currently above the 100-year flood plain. 

We have worked with our elected officials and engaged with Prein & Newhof, and specifically, a hydraulic engineer and Kalamazoo County Drain Commission, to evaluate and assess the impacted areas to determine what is causing the water issues and what can be done to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again in the future. View the Texas Township Flood Study Report from Prein & Newhof.

The Township held an informative and productive Town Hall Meeting on January 16, 2019, at 6:30 pm at KVCC, Dale B Lake Auditorium, to discuss potential funding options for flood mitigation. Resident input was much appreciated as the Board will be discussing funding options for the short-term solution in upcoming meetings. Click here to download the agenda or click here to download the presentation from that meeting.

The MDEQ held a public Hearing on the permit on Monday, February 11, 2019, to temporarily pump water from Eagle Lake and Crooked Lake into wetlands, Bass Lake, the West Fork of Portage Creek, and Atwater Mill Pond to relieve flooding. View documents at https://miwaters.deq.state.mi.us/miwaters/external/publicnotice/info/4158296997156391208/details

The MDEQ Permit was issued and signed on March 29, 2019 (and was revised May 16 to correct a clerical error). Both the Eagle Lake and Crooked Lake pumps are now operational and active, as of May 30, 2019.

At its April 22, 2019 meeting, the Township Board hosted the Flood Mitigation Special Assessment District No. 1 Public Hearing and Filing of Special Assessment Roll at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 West O Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, Admissions Wing, Room 9130, within the Township, to review the special assessment roll and consider any objections to the special assessment roll.

Texas Township conducted a Flood Damage Assessment and asked all residents impacted by the flooding and high water levels to complete a survey to assess damages. This Flood Damage Assessment helped us to 1) identify the cause of the continued flooding and why we are not seeing relief; 2) identify a solution to reduce flooding and water levels, and 3) determine if the Township is eligible to apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to assist in funding that solution. While a Notice of Intent was filed with the state in 2018, it was determined that the Township would not qualify because most of the impacted homes are not within the 100-year flood plain. 

A Flooding Task Force was created at the September 10 Township Board Meeting to discuss the flooding issues and identify potential solutions. View the Flooding Taskforce

Legal Lake Level Town Hall Meeting

This meeting on establishing legal lake levels and the long term solution will take place Thursday, October 3 at 7 pm in the KVCC Dale B. Lake Auditorium

Information Sheet and Petition Language (PDF)

Legal Lake Level Town Hall Meeting PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)

• Because Texas Township is part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), insurance agents must provide flood insurance. Private insurance is an option, but it may be difficult to get given the current lake levels.
• The coverage limits are low for the NFIP policy ($250,000 max for building and $100,000 for content).
• NFIP Flood Insurance provides limited basement and basement contents coverage (make sure you know what is covered).
• NFIP Flood Insurance rates are subsidized/discounted.
• An elevation certificate is not required, but it is important in defining the frequency of flooding, and therefore you will get lower rates if you have one. This should be provided to the flood insurance agent.
• There is a 30 day wait period after the presentment of the premium before you can get flood insurance through NFIP.
• Texas Township could reduce NFIP flood insurance rates in the Township by getting involved with the CRS program (Community Rating System). This requires specific activities by the Township and can reduce rates by 5% to 45%.
  
  Answers to questions about National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)