On Jan. 11, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning. This came via text message and email by Grand Rapids Public Safety in conjunction with Grand Rapids Police Department and the City of Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids Community College sent out a text message, phone call and email notifying students and staff that GRCC campuses would be closed, Friday Jan. 12 and Saturday the 13. (The Library and Learning Commons is normally open Saturday, 11am-2pm).
The alert by GR Public Safety reads that heavy snow accumulations ranging from eight to 14 inches, and high winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
The warning itself begins Friday at 10 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Impacts include travel becoming very difficult and perhaps impossible by Friday night. Blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the Friday evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. Near blizzard conditions are possible.
Affected area counties include: Lake, Osceola, Clare, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Muskegon, Montcalm, Gratiot, Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, and Kalamazoo.
Closures and cancellations started going out to the public beginning Thursday afternoon when officials from area school districts including Grand Rapids Public Schools, Forest Hills Public Schools, Northview Public Schools and Kentwood Public Schools announced that they would close Friday ahead of the anticipated storm.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
