Emergency Ops Center Activated, Cooling Centers Set Up in South Berrien

The potentially deadly mixture of flooding, resulting power outages and a heat wave have combined to create a genuine emergency in parts of Southern Berrien County.   The Emergency Operations Center has been activated by the County to deal with the short-term crisis.

Here is the latest update from Berrien County, shortly after 1 pm Tuesday:

Due to the power outages and flooding in the southwest portion of Berrien County,
the Berrien County Emergency Operations Center has been activated. It is
estimated that the current power outage could extend for several hours and
potentially into the evening hours. With the temperatures rising and the potential
for higher than normal heat index there have been cooling stations set up at the
following locations:
New Buffalo Township Public Safety Building – 18959 US-12, New Buffalo MI 49117
Michiana Village Hall – 4000 Cherokee Drive, New Buffalo MI 49117
Mars Community Center – 430 W. Mars Street, Berrien Springs MI 49103
(Scheduled to open at 2:00 PM)
Each of these locations are open and operational if individuals need to utilize them
and get out of the warm conditions.
The health and safety of those visiting the cooling centers is a priority. Face masks
are strongly recommended for everyone visiting the center, regardless of COVID-19
vaccination status. Any individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be asked
to isolate onsite. Those visiting cooling centers are encouraged to take key
protective actions such as washing hands often, keeping physical distance from
others where possible, and covering coughs or sneezes.

For individuals who have experienced damage due to the flooding the following link
is available: https://www.berriencounty.org/FormCenter/Emergency-Management-14/Report-Disaster-Damage-66

We will continue to update information as it becomes available and if other cooling
stations become available.

UPDATE: 8/10/21 @ 2:30 PM
An additional cooling station has been opened at Lakeshore Public Schools
Auditorium. This cooling station will remain open until 9:00 PM.
Lakeshore Public Schools Auditorium – 5771 Cleveland Ave, Stevensville MI 4912