Lake Michigan levels, erosion are "very big concern" for some residents in Mount Pleasant

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Officials in the Village of Mount Pleasant are calling it an emergency situation. Lake Michigan levels are so high right now that the water is eroding the bluff. Now as many as a dozen homes are at risk of falling into the lake.

Tony Van Vutten has lived in Mount Pleasant for the past 30 years.

Erosion of Mount Pleasant bluffs

"In April, I came back home -- the whole dang thing was gone," Van Vutten said.

Van Vutten lost 15 feet of his yard as it tumbled into Lake Michigan. High waves, especially bad this year, have eroded the bluff. Now Van Vutten and his neighbors' homes are at risk.

Erosion of Mount Pleasant bluffs

The Mount Pleasant Village President says sewers, electricity, fire hydrants and streets are also in danger of crumbling into the lake. One house was recently knocked down as it was falling. Where it once stood, now there is nothing.

Homeowners say the rapid erosion situation has been threatening them in earnest since January -- as Lake Michigan is at its highest level in the past 90 years. Now, houses that have been there for decades could just disappear.

Erosion of Mount Pleasant bluffs

"This is a very big concern. I do not want to see that happen. So I can't stress the emergency that we have here," said Jerry Garski, Mount Pleasant Village President.

Another meeting is set for Wednesday, May 18th. Residents are hopeful the federal government will help with placing boulders and building a breakwater system to protect the Mount Pleasant shoreline.

Erosion of Mount Pleasant bluffs