News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings across multiple communities in Metro Detroit due to heavy rain, causing significant disruptions including blocked highways and increased power outages. Areas in Wayne and Oakland County, like Livonia, Romulus, and Southfield, experienced between 2 to 5 inches of rain, and more is expected. Residents are advised to avoid flooded areas and stay informed about road closures and safety measures during this hazardous weather event.
Detroit – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flash flood warnings for multiple areas in Metro Detroit due to heavy rainfall, with warnings set to last until 9:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The affected communities in Wayne County include Livonia, Romulus, Canton, Dearborn, Belleville, Westland, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, and Wayne. As of 8:21 p.m., these areas recorded between 2 and 5 inches of rain, with an additional half-inch expected.
Another group of communities, including parts of Oakland County and additional areas in Wayne County, such as Livonia, Southfield, Novi, Canton, Northville, Westland, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, and Redford, is under a flash flood warning until 11:15 p.m. By 8:05 p.m., they had already experienced 2 to 4 inches of rain, with forecasts indicating another 1 to 2 inches could fall before the evening ended.
Significant highway issues are emerging as well. Flooding has blocked the right lane of Interstate 96 going east after Newburgh Road, with officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation reporting the incident. The Michigan State Police’s Second District is advising motorists to steer clear of flooded areas and avoid driving around barricades. They urge drivers to reduce their speeds and maintain full control of their vehicles during inclement weather.
This heavy rainfall comes on the heels of another flash flood event that occurred on Monday night, which already caused considerable disruption, including flight delays and cancellations at Detroit Metro Airport. Following the earlier storms, DTE Energy reported over 11,000 customers lost power, while Consumers Energy noted nearly 9,000 outages statewide.
Severe flooding impacted airport operations earlier in the week, with the Wayne County Airport Authority confirming flooding at various locations across the airport campus, including the Dingell Drive tunnel. By Monday evening, over 400 flights had been delayed and nearly 60 canceled due to adverse weather conditions. Flash flood warnings issued on Monday had led to warnings for Wayne County until 6:30 p.m., as certain areas experienced rainfall amounts between 2 to 5 inches.
Furthermore, southern Macomb County regions such as Warren, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Mount Clemens, Clinton Township, Roseville, Fraser, and Utica reported similar rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches, leading to additional flood concerns. Sterling Heights residents received alerts about flooding and downed power lines, with instructions to avoid deep water and stay clear of the wires which might be energized.
Flash flooding continues to pose a threat due to slow-moving thunderstorms. The NWS warns that most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles, highlighting, “Turn around, don’t drown” as a critical safety message. Observations indicate that flooding could likely impact small creeks, streams, urban areas, streets, underpasses, and locations that are poorly drained.
In Clinton Township, major flooding has been reported along Gratiot Avenue, Garfield Road, and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, Oakland County issued a flood advisory due to an estimated one to three inches of rainfall earlier this week.
As these weather conditions persist, residents are advised to stay informed about road situations and closures, monitoring updates from local authorities to ensure safety during these hazardous weather events.
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Tropical Storm Debby Triggers Flood Warnings in New York, Results in Significant Disruptions and Damage
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press
- Wikipedia: Flash Flood
- CBS News Detroit
- Google Search: Heavy Rainfall Detroit
- Detroit News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- Click On Detroit
- Google News: Detroit Weather Alerts
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
