Metro Detroit has been hit hard with major flooding that has affected roads and caused sewage overflows.
In the wake of heavy rainfall, metro Detroiters are coping with major flooding affecting roads, causing sewage overflows and the evacuation of entire neighborhoods in some parts of the state.
A Hazardous Weather Outlook released by the National Weather Service at 3:21 p.m. Wednesday said flood warning remain in effect for the majority of rivers across southeast Michigan for both the afternoon and night.
More: Heavy rains, flooding expected across southeast Michigan
More: Sewer system ‘overwhelmed’ by flooding, sending overflow into Lake St. Clair
Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said Wednesday that Lake St. Clair has been barraged with sewage overflows coming in from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Although sewage is being treated to Department of Environment Quality standards before being discharged, Miller said every gallon discharged is 2% sanitary and 98% storm water.
Miller urged residents and businesses to restrict water usage to help reduce the amount of flow going into the system.
Heavy rain has affected Michganders across the state.
More: Lansing, Lansing Twp. officials recommend evacuations in at least six neighborhoods
Homeowners in six neighborhoods in Lansing and Lansing Township — Urbandale, Sycamore Park, Knollwood Willow, Baker, Cherry Hill and Riverside — have been asked to evacuate because of flooding .
In response to extreme flooding, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced via a release that the American Red Cross will open a shelter at Letts Community Center at noon on Thursday for displaced residents.
Firefighters and police in Eaton Rapids installed sandbags along the Grand River, the Lansing State Journal reported.
Dozens of roads in the state have also been closed due to waterlogged roadways and gaping potholes.
More: Flooding, potholes closing dozens of Lansing area roads
The watery weather has caused a number of accidents in western Michigan, which was hit especially hard.
Heavy rains and melting snow have been identified as a factor in a two-engine freight train derailment in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids. One engine came to rest on its side, and police said two railroad workers had non-life threatening injuries
Newaygo County Emergency Services said the river in Croton Township was above flood stage, and some residents along the Muskegon River have been urged to leave their homes as water levels rise.
According to WZZM, Michigan State Police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old girl who drowned standing in the water in the backyard of her Fairplain Township home.
A brief period of freezing rain is also possible early Friday morning and wind gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible on Sunday as a strong low pressure system travels through the northern Great Lakes this weekend, the weather service said.
Contact Aleanna Siacon: ASiacon@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AleannaSiacon. Staff writer Christina Hall contributed to this report.
