Detroit Freeways Flooded After Historic Rain Event, Michiganders Share On Social Media
Metro Detroit residents and commuters struggled with massive flooding Monday afternoon and evening. Nearly five inches of rain backed up sewers and stranded motorists. The Detroit Free Press reported Monday night that the flash flooding in Detroit has already led to at least one death after a woman suffered a heart attack when her car was stranded.
Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said, “We are absolutely overwhelmed. We’ve got police, fire, sanitation, DPW, waste treatment — anybody who wants to work overtime, can. We’re working round the clock. This is probably a 200-year rain. I’ve never seen anything like this.” Meteorologists expected rain, but had no expectations for such a significant amount of rain in such a short period of time, according to ClickOnDetroit.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported at least five freeway closures by the end of rush hour, according to the Detroit News. As of midnight, the historic flood event in Detroit was winding down.
Roseville Fire Chief Mike Holland explained that Metro Detroiters need to avoid walking across flooded roads and walkways, even if there is minimal current.
He explained:
“Manhole covers are being hidden by water and flooding can lift them out of their holes. Pedestrians could wind up falling in.”
Residents in Metro Detroit took to social media to share the effects of the torrential rain combined with Michigan’s notoriously bold drivers, as well as other effects from the flooding.
#MichiganStatePolice telling people 2 stay off Metro Detroit rds. As usual, ppl think they know better. #DetroitFlood pic.twitter.com/V52DALwlze
— Laura R. Charron (@ConchoQueen) August 12, 2014
#michigan storms and we make the best of it. #weather #FloodWarning @Local4News @freep @FOX2News pic.twitter.com/D5BsOCF6sj
— ADAM (@GETFITWITHADAM) August 12, 2014
#DetroitFlood State Police closing freeways…first time in history! pic.twitter.com/ZYTfKUj5DT — BigCityBlonde (@24kBlondi) August 12, 2014
Detroit has a new river! #PureMichigan #DetroitFlood @freep @PureMichigan #DriveSafe pic.twitter.com/1v6dygtwLo — Amanda Marie (@TheA_MandaShow) August 12, 2014
Current mood: happy there is now only two feet of water and no longer five. #detroitflood pic.twitter.com/u0GQAhbFeD — Krista Jahnke (@kristajahnke) August 12, 2014
@freep cars under water on 696 pic.twitter.com/T35T8ukrbf
— Detroit Networking (@MetroDetroitNet) August 12, 2014
#detroit #detroitflood https://t.co/i2HUVKRw1F
— sarah jane (@oheysj) August 12, 2014
This is bad pic.twitter.com/EQnfDr6j6l
— Robert Allen (@rallenMI) August 12, 2014
#detroitflood pic.twitter.com/5XFS6hEgeG
— Cory Good (@cory_good) August 12, 2014
#DetroitFlood pic.twitter.com/OHT2CZe6nv — (ja-see) (@gyasikamau) August 12, 2014
#detroitflood #lakechanning #ferndalelyfe #puremichigan pic.twitter.com/Zulsm8eTMM — Erin Silver (@ErinAKASylvia) August 12, 2014
#Detroit flooding I75/I696 ramp #miwx @freep pic.twitter.com/Q7Xeu0qTOt
— Joe Heyrman (@Joe_Heyrman17) August 12, 2014
@freep Live shot of I-94 E at Livernois in Detroit. #detour #scenicroute pic.twitter.com/uMdObz88VJ
— Ali B. (@AABaydoun) August 12, 2014
One video was posted to YouTube that showed a bus attempting to drive down a flooded highway. The people on the bus express their shock as they see a man trying to guide his vehicle down the freeway in flood waters as a tire floats by. Some graphic language is included in the video due to the shock of the passengers from the severity of the flooding on the Detroit road.
[Photo via Twitter]
