Homes along the Au Train River in Au Train Township are flooded following Winter Storm Elliott. Emergency action was to take place to alleviate flooding. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

AU TRAIN — Parts of Au Train Township were heavily flooded on Tuesday as an aftereffect of Winter Storm Elliott.

Flooding was seen along the Au Train River, inundating some residents’ yards.

Au Train Township Supervisor Michelle Doucette was busy on Tuesday trying to deal with the situation, including getting a permit for dredging.

“The flooding here in Au Train is the worst I have ever seen in 25 years,” Doucette said.

The flooding, she noted, started on Christmas Day.

To complicate matters, she tried to reach out to state agencies on Monday, but they were closed for the holiday.

“Woodland Avenue is being affected,” Doucette said. “Water is coming up on the east end of Woodland, now through people’s yards, so I’m worried that the people over in Au Train River Estates are going to be stranded, and we have septics and wells underwater.”

The situation played out Tuesday on Facebook.

The township shared a post, for instance, from the Michigan State Police Newberry Detachment, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.

“The Au Train River mouth area is prone to flooding when ice jams prevent water flow into Lake Superior,” wrote L. Steven P. Derusha, Eighth District coordinator. “Though this is typically a spring event, it is happening now.”

He noted that 10 to 20 private residences were at risk of flooding, but no public infrastructure was at risk.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he said, will activate only in limited circumstances to protect public infrastructure.

The USACE will also activate only to open a river system open to navigation for trade, which does not include the Au Train River.

“The only relief will come when the river naturally opens up,” Derusha wrote. “It is up to the homeowners to protect their homes. They will be provided with sandbags if they desire.”

One woman posted that septic systems were failing, water was coming into homes, and the ground was permeated with water, which would come into crawl spaces.

A later post from Au Train Township Clerk Mary Walther Johnson, though, indicated that the township received emergency approval from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to proceed with mitigation efforts, and was putting things in motion to open up a channel to get the water flowing. It was waiting to hear back from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Brian Edgette, who lives on Woodland Avenue, was one of those residents affected by the flooding.

“You can’t plan for this,” Edgette said.

However, he pointed out that he was using pumps to remove water from his home, although the water mostly was just being recirculated. For example, he said the water had risen 10 inches from Monday night into Tuesday.

Additionally, Edgette was pumping 140 gallons a minute from his crawl space to protect his well pump.

An emergency township board meeting had been set for Tuesday evening to have a record of emergency actions and approve the cost, which will the township will bear.

However, Johnson said on Facebook that the Michigan Department of Transportation required a performance resolution from the township before beginning work, which was to be addressed at the meeting.

A plan involved work starting east of the river mouth, or wherever workers could get close, to open up a small area about 50 feet long, which was expected to have been completed Tuesday night.

“This may take a few days as they are going to remove ice 50 feet at a time, let rest for a few hours, go out and punch through another 50 feet of bergs,” Johnson posted. “This will assure MDOT their bridge is not going to be in jeopardy. That is their only concern.”

Health advisories given

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger Schoolcraft District Health Department issued information for homeowners affected by the flooding in Au Train Township.

Elizabeth Suggitt, LMAS environmental health director, shared tips for managing drinking water wells, septic systems, cleanup of flooded basements and food safety.

Private drinking water wells

Water from a well that has been flooded should be assumed to be contaminated. If the water level rose above the top of the well casing, the well has been flooded. Do not use the well water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or even bathing until you are sure that the water is not contaminated, Suggitt said. Bottled water is recommended.

In order to ensure that the water is safe, the well should be disinfected, then the water should be tested to make sure it is safe for drinking. Well disinfection instructions are available on the health department website www.lmasdhd.org. Water testing kits are available at the Alger County LMAS Health Department office at E9526 Prospect St., Munising.

Flooded septic system

If your septic system was flooded or damaged by erosion, contact the health department for assistance at 906-387-2297. If possible, don’t use the system if the soil is saturated and flooded. The wastewater will not be treated and will become a source of pollution. Conserve water as much as possible while the system restores itself and the water table falls.

Pump the septic tank as soon as possible after the flood, Suggitt said. However, only a licensed septage hauler can pump out a septic tank. At best, pumping the tank is only a temporary solution, and will remove silt and debris that might have washed into the system. Do not pump the tank during flooded or saturated drain field conditions. Under saturated conditions, pumping it out could cause the tank to float out of the ground and might damage the inlet and outlet pipes, she noted.

Flooded basements

Homeowners should always wear protective equipment including N-95 respirators or masks, goggles, protective gloves, boots and long pants when cleaning up after a flood, Suggitt said. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and mold. Where floodwater contains sewage, infectious disease is a concern. Even when flooding is due to rainwater, the growth of microorganisms can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Flood water can also make the air in a home unhealthy, Suggitt said. When surfaces get wet for more than two days they usually get moldy. Mold may be more likely to make some people with asthma, allergies or other breathing problems sick. For these health reasons, and to lessen structural damage, all standing water should be removed as quickly as possible.

Suggitt suggested removing all wet material and furnishings from the building, and to discard anything that cannot be washed and disinfected. Floor and wall surfaces should be washed with detergent and water, and then disinfected with a household bleach solution of a half cup per gallon of water. Air dry the affected area completely, and always wash hands with soap and water after any cleanup activity.

Food safety

Do not eat food that has been in contact with flood water, Suggitt said. If electricity has been off, refrigerated food may have spoiled. Discard any food that has been at room temperature for more than two hours or if it has an unusual odor or color. Thawed food from freezers may be safe for consumption or refreezing if it is still partially frozen or is “refrigerator cold,” which is below 41 degrees.

She recommended that babies on formula should be given ready-to-feed formula or powdered formula prepared with bottled drinking water. Wash hands with soap and disinfected water before eating or handling food, after cleanup work and after handling flood water-contaminated items, she said.

More specific information on flood cleanup in homes, flooded septic systems and well disinfection is available at www.lmasdhd.org.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.