Flash flood warnings in metro Detroit as heavy rain shuts freeways, streets

Detroit Free Press (MI)

A flash flood warning for much of Wayne and parts of Oakland and Macomb counties has been called by the National Weather Service until 11 a.m., with overnight and early morning thundershowers and reports that several metro Detroit roadways have been closed.

On I-96 in Redford, Michigan State Police rescued motorists who had been trapped in high waters in a dip where there was an overpass. Troopers set out orange barrels near Beech Daly and closed that part of the interstate.

"Be careful driving," said Kevin Kacan, a meteorologist with the weather service in White Lake Township urged residents. "Avoid going through any flooded roadways, and our slogan for flooding is: Turn around, don't drown."

Flooding also was reported on I-94 near M 10 and M-59 near Utica Road.

Up to 3.5 inches of rain fell in Franklin, Beverly Hills, and Royal Oak, and 2 inches in parts of Wayne County, the weather service reported. Outside metro Detroit, thunderstorms were forecast in Midland, Saginaw and Port Huron.

As of 8:20, DTE reported there were more than 9,100 customers without power; and Consumers Energy had about 3,100. But, weather forecasters also warned of strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., which likely would down more power lines.

A few suburban Detroit residents, who in 2014 faced flooded basements and got stranded as heavy rain flowed into freeway underpasses, noted on social media that it reminded them of the historic storm, when more than 6 inches quickly fell in some places.

Most flood deaths, the weather service said, occur in vehicles.

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Weather forecasters said as the rain continues, excessive runoff could cause flooding of other highways, streets, and underpasses as well as low lying areas, small creeks, and streams, and it would likely include Oakland and Macomb counties.

Roads closed, according to WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), include eastbound Interstate 96 between Inkster and Outer Drive, M-59 between Mound Road and Van Dyke, 23 Mile west of Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, Walton Boulevard between Adams and Brewster in Rochester Hills, 13 Mile and Southfield Road in Southfield.

Other communities at risk in Wayne County include downtown Detroit, Belle Isle, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Wyandotte, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Melvindale, Ecorse, River Rouge and Taylor.

Communities in Macomb and Oakland counties included: Warren, Troy, Southfield, St. Clair Shores, Pontiac, Mount Clemens, New Baltimore, Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Rochester, Macomb Township, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Roseville, Eastpointe, Madison Heights, Oak Park and Auburn Hills.