Heavy rain in the Upper Midwest of the USA caused flash flooding in parts of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin between 16 and 17 June, 2018.
In Michigan, numerous roads have been washed out and dozens of sinkholes have been reported. Michigan Tech reported that the administrative building on the Houghton campus was flooded.
Local media said a father rescued his child from the debris after a basement collapsed due to the flooding.
On 17 June, Governor Rick Snyder said via Social Media that “the State Emergency Operations Center has been partially activated and we are continuing to monitor the situation in Houghton and Menominee Counties.”
Houghton County Emergency Management and Law Enforcement requested that residents should shelter in place in Houghton County and should not attempt to travel on area roadways. Several area roadways are washed out at this time.
NWS in Marquette said “Extensive flooding was reported in Houghton County the morning of June 17th, 2018. Many roads have been washed out from Lake Linden through Dollar Bay, Hancock and Houghton. Up to 7 inches (177 mm) of rain fell in the area between 11pm and 8am, with the majority of the rainfall coming in the 2am to 5am time frame.”
Also on 17 June, significant flooding caused roads to be washed out in areas around Pleasant Valley, Minnesota, and Drummond, Wisconsin.
Social Media
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Houghton County. Heavy rain has caused flooding, making travel dangerous.
Campus is closed. Please do not try to drive to campus until further notice.
More information can be found at https://t.co/VEQsvxA4bY. pic.twitter.com/Ej3o91cxrZ
— Michigan Tech (@michigantech) June 17, 2018
@weatherchannel Flooding in Chassell, MI pic.twitter.com/MVOg0R1rxI
— Chris Parton (@MIChris627) June 17, 2018
Hey everybody, Michigan Tech and Houghton county need your prayers. Flash flooding since midnight today has created numerous washouts and sinkholes in the area. #prayforhoughton #prayforthehuskies pic.twitter.com/km9ajKnqPr
— Olivia (@OliviaMVargo) June 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/LoozerLizzy/status/1008476138962735104
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Hancock
C - Lake Linden
D - Dollar Bay
E - Pleasant Valley
F - Drummond
G - White River, Wisconsin
Magnitude
Hancock - June 16 to June 17, 2018
All rainfall figures according to NWS Marquette
Houghton - June 16 to June 17, 2018
Laurium - June 16 to June 17, 2018
Damages
White River, Wisconsin - June 16 to June 19, 2018
Michigan - June 16 to June 19, 2018
Sinkholes were reported in 60 locations in Michigan. Authorities reported road closures due to flood damage in several locations. As of 19 June, no figures were available regarding damage to homes or buildings.
