Storms could dump up to another inch of rain in Ann Arbor area Sunday; forecast still calls for sunny Memorial Day
Here we go again: The National Weather Service is warning of the possibility of strong thunderstorms and even tornadoes this afternoon, and has issued a flood watch through late tonight for Washtenaw County.
A tornado watch was issued for all of southeast Michigan at 1:35 p.m. The watch, which means conditions are favorable for severe storms, tornadoes, hail and strong winds, remains in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday.
Meanwhile, a fast-moving system of storms expected to arrive in the Ann Arbor area by 4 p.m. today could bring as much as another inch of rain to an already sodden region.
The city got another three-tenths of an inch of rain Saturday night, which is on top of nearly 4 inches from a storm last week that flooded roads, damaged a railroad track, and sent carp fishermen to an Ann Arbor soccer field.
Straight-line winds up to 60 mph are also possible with the latest storm system, said National Weather Service meteorologist Amos Dodson.
Fog this morning seemed at first like it might clear to partly sunny skies, but a haze remained over downtown Ann Arbor by early afternoon.
In Northfield Township, homeowners on Horseshoe Lake were using boats to get around their flooded neighborhood, WXYZ reported.
Steve Barth, a firefighter for Northfield Township, said the station had received calls all weekend regarding flooding in the area, and officials were referring people to the Washtenaw County chapter of the Red Cross, 734-971-5300.
An estimate of the number of homes affected by flooding on the lake was not available Sunday afternoon.
In Ann Arbor, the Huron River was near flood stage, at just under 16 feet.
But the forecast is still looking dry and mostly sunny for Memorial Day, Dodson said.
A high near 90 is expected.
Comments
Harm
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.
Er, Sunday was yesterday. Why aren't we getting stories about TODAY'S weather?
Bill Sloan
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
I feel for those folks that were poorly advised to build a finished basement. In the midwest a basement will flood to some degree sometime, and then what a mess. A laundry, furnace, storage on risers maybe, but carpet, furniture, drywall? Bad idea. Frank Lloyd Wright hated basements and said, "The only need for a basement is because coal must run downhill." How long have we heated with coal? A long time. I grew up in Southern California, there isn't a basement in sight, and people do just fine without them. I'll bet an entrepreneur could do well filling basements with dirt for those who are fed up. Put the furnace on the first floor, and the laundry on the second floor where it's used anyway. There you go.
April Young
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
I live just north of Clark Rd in Superior twnshp; had sewer back-up into my basement Friday or Saturday. Lost several bags of clothes, boxes, papers, etc. Rain's okay, just spread it out a bit.
jenny
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
Do we really need this weather ? I mean really ! We should be in the Guinness World Records!
Gramma
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
It is what it is.
tdw
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
I think I'm developing webbed feet
dae
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 7:40 p.m.
We're flooded on Ore Lake just off the Huron in Hamburg Township in Southeastern Livingston County. We are currently at or just above the flood level in 2004. Many of our neighbors are now experiencing the lake near or around their homes.
Subroutine
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
This weather is a drag no doubt and we got a lot of snow earlier this year too. Makes me wonder about the total precipitation for the year so far. On the other hand, at least up here in Michigan we aren't getting killed or displaced by the hundreds (thousands?) like they are down south. Or completely destroyed like they are in Japan. Kinda takes the edge of the annoyance of having to mop up my basement again tomorrow, knowing at least I still have a home that's not in ruins or mostly submerged under water. (Knocks on wood).
miller lite
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
Wow, could be snow instead of rain,probably won't rain in June,July and August.
Gramma
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
Every inch of rain would be 10 inches of snow.
zip the cat
Sun, May 29, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
No problem let it pour Kinda reminds me of my viet nam tour in the 60's Its called the monsoon season,rains 3-4 " everyday/night for a good month