Storms Leave Michigan Underwater Again

It was, ironically, the day that teams from FEMA were in Michigan to assess damage from the rain storm that flooded parts of the southeast part of the state back on August 11th.   But those crews found themselves really seeing--and feeling--what some in the state have been going through.

Although not nearly as much rain fell Tuesday as back on August 11th, motorists were again caught off-guard by how quickly the precipitation flooded-out area roadways.

The Detroit News is reporting today that flooding and flood advisories were issued for a number of Interstates, including I-75 and I-94.  M-10 was also closed in spots Tuesday due to the rising water.

The storm system, which was listed as packing winds up to 60 miles per hour in some areas, is being blamed for downing trees and power lines and leaving thousands in the dark.

Lightning strikes are also being blamed for at least 2 fires in the state.  One in Taylor is said to have caused significant damage to an apartment complex there, and another in Ionia County is believed responsible for a garage fire that caused injuries to 3 people.  All believed to be non-life threatening.

Two inches of rain fell within a half hour period in this latest swipe from Mother Nature.  That is a far cry from the estimated 6 inches that fell in Michigan during a storm earlier in the month.

The article quotes meteorologists as saying the unseasonably warm temps of 90 degrees likely fueled the unstable weather causing the damage.

No word on the amount of damage caused in this latest storm system, but the bill is likely to be hefty.  Those from FEMA will likely get more claims from people in this round. They're still trying to determine who in Macomb, Wayne and Oakland Counties, are eligible for federal assistance from the August 11th incident.  Those suffering basement flooding are 'not' eligible for help.

In the Lansing area, meantime, flooding near the Potter Park Zoo closed a portion of Pennsylvania Avenue down for several hours Tuesday.  And reports that water over the roadway closed an area of Grand River Avenue for a time.  Both have since been reopened.

 Join Jo Anne Paul weekdays for news updates on 99.1 WFMK-FM, 100.7 WITL-FM and 1240 WJIM-AM and the other stations of the Michigan Talk Network joanne.paul@townsquaremedia.com