Michigan is largely spared from flooding, but not from longer-term climate problems
Remnants of Beryl bring heavy rains, flooding and tornadoes to the Northeast
The remnants of Hurricane Beryl will move out of the United States on Thursday after bringing heavy rains, severe flooding and tornadoes to the northeastern United States.
Scripps News
In much of Michigan, flood warnings turned out to be nothing more than warnings when Hurricane Beryl swept across the state after making landfall in Texas.
The few areas of Michigan that were flooded by the storm on Wednesday are now cleaning up. Then it will be hot again this weekend across the greater Detroit area.
“Yes, the remnants of Beryl have now disappeared to the east,” said Sara Schultz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake Township, Thursday morning.
But not all communities were spared. “We had some flooding in Macomb County – and Genesee.”
And in East Lansing, the city council had to cancel its meeting because of flooding.
It was even worse in Vermont, where heavy rains destroyed bridges and washed out a home later Wednesday, news outlets reporting that the damage came just a year after catastrophic rains flooded parts of the state.
Concerns about climate change
Rising global temperatures are leading to more severe and frequent storms, more rainfall and flooding, which various reports last year called “hidden risks” for cities and millions of homeowners, as flooding poses a threat to infrastructure and suggests that building codes may be out of date.
In addition, it has also raised concerns about property insurance. Insurance Business magazine reported in May that premiums are rising while insurance companies’ profit margins are declining across the country, prompting some insurers to drop coverage in certain areas.
The city of Detroit is “regularly affected by flooding,” according to its website, and about a third of its population lives in poverty. The website states, “Flooding can occur any time from spring to fall – even in winter, when higher temperatures lead to rain instead of snow.”
More: FEMA publishes flood maps for Wayne County and urges residents to review them
On Wednesday, roads – including eastbound Interstate 94 near downtown Detroit – were temporarily closed. Photos posted on social media showed homes, one in Genesee Township, partially submerged by the floodwaters.
The weather service said 5 to 7 inches (12 to 18 centimeters) of rain fell in Genesee County, one of the worst-hit areas. The water there turned roads and low-lying areas into temporary lakes, where at least one person pulled out a canoe to paddle around, WNEM-TV reported.
Summary of precipitation amounts
Downstream in Southgate, rainfall totaled about 3.5 inches in the 24-hour period ending Wednesday evening, and in Detroit, rainfall totaled about 1.5 inches, the weather service said.
Other precipitation amounts included:
- Caro, 3 inches,
- Chesterfield, 2.8,
- Farmington Hills, 2,
- Flint, 3.3,
- Lapeer, 4.9,
- Schwartz Creek, 3.9,
- and White Lake, 2.7.
The weather service says there is a chance of another storm Friday afternoon and then highs of 90 degrees or more over the weekend, which is expected to be mostly dry, with more heat and humidity.
More: As Michigan warms, groups want FEMA to recognize extreme heat as a “major disaster”
Several thousand Michigan electric customers were without power on Wednesday, but by early Thursday most had had power restored, leaving only a tiny fraction of the state’s population without power. DTE reported fewer than 1,200 customers without power and Consumers Energy reported about 3,500.
There is good news, however. For those who want or need to dry and tidy their homes and businesses, there is likely to be some respite: Thursday’s forecast calls for dry weather, warm sunshine and highs of around 27 degrees.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].
.png&h=630&w=1200&q=75&v=20170226&c=1 "Accenture Song, The Monkeys and Droga5 win Tourism Australia contract | News")
Accenture Song, The Monkeys and Droga5 win Tourism Australia contract | News
Reds and Pirates play for the series winner
Lowey Dannenberg notifies Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (“Lamb
About The Author
