MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - As we head into this weekend, residents are advised to exercise safety precautions against a severe weather threat with heavy rain, snow and freezing rain conditions.

Meridian Township officials advise residents to stay safe and prepare themselves for potential power outages, dangerous travel conditions and flooding by stocking up on supplies like flashlights, food, water and blankets and limit travel as much as possible.

Meridian Township parks like Ferguson Park and Wonch Park as well as the Harris Nature Center will be closed this weekend. For updates, please contact the Meridian Township Parks & Recreation Department at 517.853.4600.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service of Grand Rapids, the winter storm warning will take effect starting at 1:00 am Saturday, January 11th through 10:00 am on Sunday, January 12th. This storm is expected to bring heavy mixed precipitation coupled with snow and sleet up to 3 inches, between a quarter to an inch of ice and Northeast wind gusts up to 45 mph.

“Public health and safety is our primary responsibility, and as your local government, we do not take that responsibility lightly. Your Township Police, Fire and Public Works Teams are ready to respond, and will work diligently to minimize the impacts of the severe weather to you and your family,” said Township Supervisor Ronald J. Styka.

“With the upcoming predicted severe weather this weekend, we want to assure our residents that we have been working with our partners at Ingham County, Consumers Energy and the Lansing Board of Water and Light, to make sure we are prepared to deal with the potential rain, snow, high winds and ice impacts,” said Deputy Township Manager Derek N. Perry.

In cases of extensive power outages and severe flooding conditions, Township officials will work with regional partners to open displacement shelters.

The East Lansing Police Department has also informed the public that city officials will provide any necessary updates about the storm throughout the weekend and to report any power outages and downed power lines to the Lansing Board of Water and Light at 877-295-5001 or Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 and to visit their websites at: lbwl.com/outage-center and http://consumersenergy.com/outages/outage-center.