Grand Traverse County Emergency Management

09/01/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Please see below for a Public Health Alert Update from the Grand Traverse County Health Department

Public Health Alert Update: Alert issued for section of Boardman/Ottaway River has been lifted.

Issued: September 1, 2026
Issued by: Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD)

The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) has lifted the Public Health Alert issued on August 25, 2026, for the Boardman/Ottaway River following additional water sampling conducted in response to last week’s sewage release near South Airport Road.

GTCHD collected two water samples as part of its continued response to the incident. One sample was collected immediately upgradient of the release, and the second was collected immediately downgradient in the area closest to the source of the release.

Because the affected area is known to have large populations of waterfowl, GTCHD expanded its analysis beyond standard bacterial testing. Samples were analyzed for E. coli, as they were during the initial response, and additional microbial source tracking (MST) testing was conducted using droplet digital PCR to evaluate for human-associated HF183 genetic markers.

Results indicate that E. coli levels remain elevated both upgradient and downgradient of the sewage release at levels that would recommend limiting water contact to partial body contact below the waist. However, the MST results did not detect the human-associated HF183 marker, indicating that the elevated E. coli levels are not associated with the recent sewage release.

Because the elevated E. coli levels do not appear to be associated with the sewage release, GTCHD is lifting the Public Health Alert. However, the public is reminded that swimming or engaging in activities where water may be swallowed is not recommended in areas where E. coli levels remain elevated.

A full list of water sampling results is provided below.

08/31/2026

Important update from the Grand Traverse County Road Commission

08/31/2026

NORTHERN MICHIGAN., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Michigan homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the April storms have until Monday, Aug. 31st to apply for SBA disast

08/31/2026

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE!!

Grand Traverse County was recently approved for Individual Assistance (IA) associated with the recent federal Major Disaster Declaration for the April 2026 flooding. For residents who were affected suffered damages related to the April flooding, please see below for information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for federal assistance.

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Financial Help After the Disaster

Money is available for basic home repairs, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses resulting from the April storms and flooding in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wexford counties. File your insurance claim first, then apply to FEMA. FEMA Assistance May Include:

▪ Money you can use to rent temporary housing if you can’t return home because of the disaster.
▪ Money to pay for hotel stays or other temporary lodging.
▪ Money to help with basic repairs to your home caused by disaster damage.
▪ An initial, flexible payment so you can purchase items such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions and other immediate needs.
▪ Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster, books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
▪ Money to help you pay for medical expenses because the disaster caused an injury or illness.
▪ Money to help you pay for funeral or reburial expenses caused by the disaster.
▪ Money to help you pay for increased or new childcare expenses caused by the disaster.
▪ Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster.
▪ Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.
▪ Money to help people with a disability make repairs to ensure the home is accessible.
▪ Money to help repair a privately owned road or bridge that provides the only access to the home.

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How to Apply for Assistance

Insurance

If you have insurance, file a claim before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

How do I Apply?

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language DisasterAssistance.gov/es. Money may be available to help you with serious needs like hotel costs, displacement costs, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

If you can’t apply online, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

If you were visited by a FEMA assessment team in May, you must still go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline to apply for federal assistance. You will need to provide the following information when applying:

▪ Your contact information (phone number, current mailing address, email address, and damaged home address).
▪ Your Social Security number.
▪ A general list of damage and losses.
▪ Annual household income.
▪ Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
▪ If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you need more information or additional help:

▪ Download the FEMA App to complete your application and find other resources.
T1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.

08/28/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Please see below for the most recent Public Health Alert update from the Grand Traverse County Health Department related to the sewage main break on S. Airport Rd.

Public Health Alert Update

Issued: August 28, 2026

Issued by: Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD)

The Grand Traverse County Health Department continues to conduct water sampling in response to an incident in which sewage entered the Boardman River near West South Airport Road. Based on the most recent sampling results, a Level 3 advisory will remain in place through the weekend.

Recent water sampling results indicate that residual E. coli associated with the sewage release may still be present and moving downstream through the affected area.

Of the samples collected in the source area of the release, one sample exceeded EGLE Level 2 standards, while a second sample exceeded EGLE Level 3 standards. As a precaution, the Grand Traverse County Health Department recommends avoiding all body contact with water within the area shaded on the map below.

Follow-up water samples will be collected on Monday, August 31. The Health Department will issue an update on Tuesday, September 1, once the follow-up sampling results are available.
A full list of water sampling results is provided below.

08/27/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Please see below for a Public Health Alert Update from the Grand Traverse County Health Department related to the sewage main break.

Public Health Alert Update

Issued: August 27, 2026
Issued by: Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD)

Out of an abundance of caution, the Grand Traverse County Health Department issued a public health alert on August 25 for Boardman Lake and the section of the Boardman River downstream of Boardman Lake following an incident in which sewage entered the Boardman River near West South Airport Road.

Water samples were collected from multiple locations along Boardman Lake and the Boardman River to assess potential impacts from the release. Results indicate that all samples collected from the Boardman River north of Boardman Lake and samples collected from Boardman Lake met the E. coli standards established by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for Level 1 full-body contact.

One sample collected in the source area of the release exceeded EGLE Level 2 standards. As a precaution, the Grand Traverse County Health Department recommends limiting contact with the water to below waist level within the area shaded on the map below.
Follow-up water samples will be collected today, August 27, from multiple locations within the shaded area. The Health Department will issue an update tomorrow, August 28, once the follow-up sampling results are available. A full list of water sampling results is provided below.

08/27/2026

THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING!!

The deadline for applications is August 31st, 2026.

Grand Traverse County was recently approved for Individual Assistance (IA) associated with the recent federal Major Disaster Declaration for the April 2026 flooding. For residents who were affected, please see below for information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for federal assistance.

___________________________________________________________________________

Financial Help After the Disaster

Money is available for basic home repairs, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses resulting from the April storms and flooding in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wexford counties. File your insurance claim first, then apply to FEMA. FEMA Assistance May Include:

▪ Money you can use to rent temporary housing if you can’t return home because of the disaster.
▪ Money to pay for hotel stays or other temporary lodging.
▪ Money to help with basic repairs to your home caused by disaster damage.
▪ An initial, flexible payment so you can purchase items such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions and other immediate needs.
▪ Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster, books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
▪ Money to help you pay for medical expenses because the disaster caused an injury or illness.
▪ Money to help you pay for funeral or reburial expenses caused by the disaster.
▪ Money to help you pay for increased or new childcare expenses caused by the disaster.
▪ Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster.
▪ Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.
▪ Money to help people with a disability make repairs to ensure the home is accessible.
▪ Money to help repair a privately owned road or bridge that provides the only access to the home.

___________________________________________________________________________

How to Apply for Assistance

Insurance

If you have insurance, file a claim before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

How do I Apply?

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language DisasterAssistance.gov/es. Money may be available to help you with serious needs like hotel costs, displacement costs, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

If you can’t apply online, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

If you were visited by a FEMA assessment team in May, you must still go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline to apply for federal assistance. You will need to provide the following information when applying:

▪ Your contact information (phone number, current mailing address, email address, and damaged home address).
▪ Your Social Security number.
▪ A general list of damage and losses.
▪ Annual household income.
▪ Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
▪ If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you need more information or additional help:

▪ Download the FEMA App to complete your application and find other resources.
T1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From Grand Traverse County Department of Public Works:

At approximately 2pm, GTC Department of Public Works (DPW) was informed of a potential sanitary sewer main overflow near the intersection of S. Airport and Park Dr. DPW responded immediately along with partnering organizations: GT Metro Fire, GT Road Commission, GT Sheriff's Office, and GT Emergency Mgmt. Upon arrival, an active sewer main overflow was observed on S. Airport moving westbound into the Boardman River.

Immediate action is being taken to reduce, manage, divert, and collect the flow. This portion of the collection system carries 200,000 gallons of untreated sewage daily. EGLE, GT Environmental Health, and other relevant agencies have been notified. Further updates including spill totals will be provided when known and as the situation stabilizes.

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