A line of thunderstorms rolled through the southern portion of Michigan Wednesday, drenching the already soaked region with more rain. Up to four inches has fallen throughout southern Michigan this week, causing widespread flooding which is expected to worsen as the week goes on.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for much of southeastern lower Michigan that is to remain in effect through at least late Thursday night. Up to three more inches of rain could fall on the already soaked region. The heavy rains have already turned many of Detroit’s area roads and expressways into rushing rivers, slowing traffic to a standstill in some areas and causing many minor car accidents.
The heavy rains have left one exclusive Detroit suburb with overflowing sewers and flooded basements. The city of Grosse Pointe Farms has received dozens of calls from homeowners who returned home from work Wednesday to discover their homes had been inundated with water. City workers are scrambling to clean out city drains to help the standing water flow but the already heavily-saturated ground is making the process move very slowly. There are fears that the worst is yet to come.
Heavy rainfall fell on much of the lower portion of Michigan all day long on Wednesday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings for most of the southeastern counties including Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Livingston, Lenawee, St. Clair and Monroe. The service is also warning state residents that several thunderstorms are heading into the region which could produce golf ball sized hail and winds up to 70 miles per hour. Localized flash flooding is also possible.
Southeastern Michigan’s Huron and St. Clair Rivers have both reached flood stage, prompting them to creep over their banks. This has prompted residents living close to the rivers to scramble to try to safeguard their homes and properties. With additional rains on the way, the already swollen rivers could further bloat and cause more flooding in areas and neighborhoods not accustomed to flood waters.
A reprieve from the downpours is expected to occur for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend as much of Michigan will experience summer-like temperatures. However, experts are warning that the warm weather moving into the area could trigger the chance of thunderstorms across the state due to the instability in the atmosphere.
