View full sizeEmployees of Saginaw’s First Ward Community Center, 1410 N. 12th, used brooms, squeegees and a sump pump to extract a layer of water from the facility’s basement after heavy rains caused flooding Thursday, June 27.
SAGINAW, MI — Thunderstorms in Saginaw County made it a truly rainy day for residents ready to celebrate at several local events.
The afternoon hours of Thursday, June 27, were scattered with heavy rains and thunderstorms hitting areas throughout the county.
On top of downed power lines and flooded roads, the wet weather impacted celebrations, including the free summer concert series Party on McCarty, which was rained out and rescheduled for Saturday, June 29.
In the city of Saginaw, a celebration for the new CEO of the First Ward Community Center was pushed back, after rain disturbed an outside pavilion area and then flooded the facility’s basement.
Due to the flooding, the Public Libraries of Saginaw’s Claytor branch – located in the basement – was closed early, according to First Ward CEO Michelle McGregor.
The celebration for McGregor was pushed back from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., while employees of First Ward used squeegees, brooms and a sump pump to extract the layer of water from the facility’s gym floor.
“We’re working on two ends of the building,” said McGregor, referring to employees working to drain water from the library and the gym.
Despite the interruption, McGregor remained in high spirits as she prepared for the slightly postponed event, held in her honor.
“We’ll still party, and then go home and clean our basements out,” McGregor said with a laugh.
Rain continued to come down on Saginaw during the evening hours and, according to the National Weather Service, the wet weather could continue into the weekend.
NWS predicts a 50 percent chance of precipitation Thursday night, with a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms listed for Friday.
Friday night brings a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms, according to NWS, and Saturday brings a 50 percent chance of showers.
Check back at MLive.com/Saginaw for weather and traffic updates.
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