30 cars submerged in flood at University of Michigan garage

ANN ARBOR, MI — Flooding that inundated a University of Michigan parking garage Wednesday submerged about 30 cars, university police said.

The university’s Department of Public Safety asked the public to avoid the Palmer Drive parking garage overpass at 1:03 p.m. on July 10 due to a “safety risk.”

The hazard was later confirmed to be flooding in the visitor parking area in the basement of the building, according to the university’s Logistics, Parking and Transportation Department. The hazard warning was lifted at 4:14 p.m. on Wednesday.

Read more: Official advice: Avoid flooded area near University of Michigan bridge

About 30 cars are still parked in the parking garage in about 50 centimeters of water, said DPSS deputy chief Melissa Overton. The parking garage is still closed.

To see photos of the submerged cars, check out this social media post.

The cause of the flooding was a blockage in a 36-inch drain pipe, Overton said. The city of Ann Arbor is working to clear the blockage, which could take several days, she said.

The university encourages car owners or anyone else wishing to file a claim related to the Palmer Building flooding to contact Risk Management Services by phone at 734-764-2200 or online. Risk Management Services is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The eastern side of Lower Michigan was hit by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, with some cities seeing record rainfall.

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