Washouts, erosion from heavy rain close county roads

The Hesperia Dam pictured Thursday, April 16, 2026.

OCEANA COUNTY — Four county roads were closed Thursday, April 16, until further notice due to washouts or erosion from the recent heavy rains, according to the Oceana County Road Commission.

“We have had a lot of damage county-wide and flooding county-wide, but we have been fortunate to not have to cut off any main roads,” said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer. 

The following roads are closed until further notice: Pierce Road/204th Avenue from 200th Avenue to Baker Road in Newfield Township; Skeels from 56th Avenue to 60th Avenue in Claybanks Township; and Yale Road from 136th Avenue to 144th Avenue in Otto Township are all closed. Marshville Dam Road from 56th Avenue to 64th Avenue in Benona Township is scheduled for closure Monday, April 20, at 8 a.m.

The roads are impassable, and detours are set up to get around the closures.

“We were really concerned with the ones in the Newfield Township area, downstream of the Hesperia Dam‎,” said Timmer. The road commission continues to monitor the roads in conjunction with Oceana County Emergency Management, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Hesperia. ”From what I understand, the water levels are going down,” said Timmer.

Local residents are reminded to be careful while driving for the next few days. Avoid driving through water. “There are many unexpected places with water over the road. We continue to monitor water at bridge levels.”

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