PORTLAND — Flooding in parts of Portland early Wednesday morning forced 50 residents who live near the Grand River to evacuate their homes.

City officials hope the worst is over, but expected high temperatures near 50 on Thursday may pose more challenges.

S. Tutt Gorman, Portland's city manager, said the flooding was caused by an ice jam in the river that filled portions of two streets near its banks with water.

"We’re standing ready to assess (the flooding) and do what we can to keep the residents informed and safe," Gorman said Wednesday afternoon.

City officials set up temporary shelters Wednesday night at City Hall and a local church. Gorman said both buildings could serve as shelters for a second night if conditions worsen.

As of Wednesday afternoon, some residents who lived along a section of Water Street near the river weren't allowed to return to their homes because of persistent flooding in the area, Gorman said.

Residents who live in homes on Canal Street by the river who were forced to evacuate late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning were allowed to return that afternoon, Gorman said.

The National Weather Service has Portland under a flooding warning that began at 1:20 a.m. Wednesday and continues until 1:15 p.m. Thursday. The area also is under a winter weather advisory, with freezing rain and additional ice expected Thursday morning.

Gorman said Wednesday afternoon he was "cautiously optimistic" the river would recede quickly as temperatures rose.

"We're pleased with how quickly things happened (Tuesday) night," Gorman said of emergency response procedures. "Now you're dealing with trying to mitigate and work with Mother Nature."

Portland resident Heinz Kirkpatrick, 41, captured Wednesday images and video of the flooding and ice jam in the river.

Kirkpatrick lives in a home on Canal Street facing the river and evacuated at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Kirkpatrick said he saw ice blocks early Wednesday morning in the river that were a foot thick and crept toward his home and others.

"You could walk across the street and grab one," he said.

Kirkpatrick stayed the night at a temporary shelter set up at Portland Church of the Nazarene, 9466 Cutler Road, with about 22 others.

Kirkpatrick returned home around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and planned to stay there.

Jim Hilligan, owner for ConfluxCity Brewering Company, 110 N Water St., said emergency response officials have shown this week they are determined to keep residents safe, especially those near the river.

Officials went door-to-door during the early morning hours of Wednesday to inform people who live near the river they needed to leave, Hilligan said.

"They weren't rushing, but they were like 'You guys got to get out of your house, the river has broken the banks,'" said Hilligan, whose family was woken up shortly after midnight.

Community spirit

Portland is a city in Ionia County, northwest of Lansing, with an estimated population of about 3,900, according to U.S. Census data.

Tragedy struck the community in 2015 when a tornado ripped through the town and damaged more the 50 homes.

Cindy Selden, 65, grew up in Portland and took photos this morning of the flooding and ice jams in downtown Portland while on her way home from work at Lansing's Capital Regional International Airport.

The weather conditions in Portland, especially on Canal Street, weren't shocking, Selden said, but officials' decision to encourage some residents to leave their homes was.

"I think that once the ice jams break everything will just recede and life goes on," Selden said. "This happens periodically in Portland.”

Similar to the tornado aftermath, several residents and business owners appeared this morning to offer assistance to those in need.

Family Farm and Home, 1870 E. Grand River Ave., offered to open its doors before 8 a.m. today to anyone who may need supplies.

"That just sums up Portland," Selden said of the city's generous spirit.

Portland's downtown business district will hold a "Shop Small — Freeze & Flood — Saturday" event Saturday to support the local economy and businesses affected by flooding.

Several business will offer "freeze/flood specials," according to a news release. For information, visit facebook.com/PortlandMainSt.

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Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

Photographer Matthew Dae Smith contributed.