• The Army Corp. of Engineers met with SCC HSEM staff recently to share concerns of ice buildup and flooding along the St. Clair River, its tributaries, Lake Huron, and Lake St. Clair.
• ACOE provides Direct Assistance (sandbags), technical assistance (expertise) and requests the Coast Guard for assistance in clearing the channel.
• Water levels will be starting higher in 2020 than 2019.
• Lake St. Clair is 7-8 inches higher than in January of 2019.
• Water levels beyond that will depend on the type of winter we receive.
• NWS first initial winter outlook was issued Thursday October 17, 2019.
• Southeast Michigan outlook will be available November 1st.
• Update on the National Level will be Thursday November 21st.
• Climate experts’ early analysis is that near average or colder than average temperatures will be prevalent.
• Least likely is a warmer winter.
• USCG availability is dependent on where they are at when the call comes in.
• Transit time has to be considered and the location of the area of concern.
• USCG does not dual crew. They do not operate around the clock.
• The Canadian Coast Guard has two ice breakers available to help.
• The Ridley and the Griffin are available from Lake Huron to the Detroit River and from the Detroit River to Lake Erie.
• USCG Priority of Service-

1. Search and Rescue
2. Urgent Response
3. Exigent Circumstances (where flooding falls in)
4. Facilitation of Navigation.

• Last year the USCG did both escort and ice breaking which kept the ships moving and breaking ice helped the water levels drop.
• However, overnight water levels went back up due to no escorts at night.
• By performing priority 4 (Navigation) it helped priority 3 (Exigent circumstances).
• Residents on canals and drains may fill up and flood. 
• Once relief on river is broken up, it will provide relief to canals and drains but it will take time.
• First floor flooding has to be significant.
• Flooding of docks, outbuildings and seawalls are not the time to make the call.
• It is a nuisance, but it is not life safety.
• North Channel-Algonac Ferry builds an ice bridge. If the ice bridge is broken, then residents cannot get kids to school, or get themselves to work, emergency services may be limited.
• If North Channel ice bridge is broken, it only provides temporary relief.
• Breaking South Channel usually fixes the issue.
• Check your insurance policy if you have one.
• Each insurance company will have specific policies and may or may not cover ice damage.

Questions, concerns, comments?

Contact our office at: Phone: 810-989-6965, Email: Emergencymanagement@stclaircounty.org

St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management