Beryl brings downpours and flooding to southwest Michigan

July 9, 2024

The remnants of Hurricane Beryl have reached Michigan, quickly causing flooding in the southwest part of the state as the storm system moved along the I-94 corridor.

By 3:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service had already reported 3.3 inches of rain and flooding in Dowagiac, 3.5 inches of rain in Berrien Springs and flooding in Marcellus.

As the storm moved north and west across the state, the Ingham County Emergency Management Agency reported a “large and severe” rainstorm over Lansing and East Lansing, dropping two inches of rain, closing numerous roads and stranding more than a dozen vehicles.

A video posted by WILX shows East Lansing residents leaving their homes while walking through nearly waist-deep water.

With significant rainfall expected, flooding is expected throughout central and southern Michigan through Wednesday. Graphic provided by NWS Grand Rapids.

The NWS has issued flood warnings for Berrien, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Jackson counties, flood alerts for Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties, and a wind and hail warning for portions of Berrien and Cass counties.

Rainfall between 3 and 6 inches was forecast for most of southwest Michigan, including Kalamazoo, where there is a significant risk of flooding.

According to forecasts, rain will continue until Wednesday and in some places will last for almost 24 hours.