CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Last weekend's heavy rain and flooding have apparently taken a local man's life. Police found a body in the river Thursday morning about a half-mile from Minnich Road in Berrien County.

The waters in the wooded area near the Galien River were tranquil, but the scenery changed once flashing red and blue lights filled the landscape.

"It was probably just 10-15 feet up from from that area where he may have initially went in," said Barry Oliver, who works with the Berrien County Sheriff's Dive Team.

Chikaming Township Police believe 76-year-old George Genetzke, who owns the property bordering the Galien River on Minnich Road, died after being caught in the river's powerful currents after this weekend's heavy rains.

"When the water level is high like that, the currents do accelerate quite a bit," said Oliver.

"It's definitely a lot deeper than it has been in the past, " said Chikaming Police Chief Jim Stormont. "It could definitely be related to the flooding."

Stormont said he walked through the wooded site a few days ago to check on Genetzke because he hadn't seen him around. When Stormont didn't find him, he says he assumed Genetzke was in town.

"Some family members were [also] concerned when they didn't see him," he said.

A family member and some neighbors called 911 after they saw Genetzke's body in the water.

"Some area people helped and they were walking around checking on him when they found him," Stormont explained.

Stormont said the victim lived in the wooded area, just yards away from a creek and the Galien River. Along the trail, several bicycles, a car and a shelter were among the items found on the site.

"He is a person that comes and goes from this area frequently," Stormont said. "It's not unusual for him to be out here."

Officers can only speculate how Genetzke got trapped in the water.

"He may have been in an area that at one time was easily accessible," said Stormont. "Because of the deeper water, he slipped in there and wasn't able to get himself out."

"It's much harder to fight a current and the currents are never ceasing, they're constant," Oliver said. "It would just wear you out."

The Berrien County Dive Team recovered Genetzke's body entangled in debris about 15 feet from the shore in three and a half feet of water. Police say the water appeared to have receded from a level of almost five feet reached during this weekend's flooding.

Genetzke's body was taken to Lakeland Hospital. Police say there are no signs of foul play.