Flooding causes traffic closures, major backups across Metro Detroit

Flood watch remains in effect through Friday evening

DETROIT – Flooding caused by heavy rain is prompting freeway closures and major backups on many roadways across Metro Detroit.

WATCH: Scene footage of freeway flooding in Metro Detroit

A flash flood warning has been canceled, but a flood watch is in effect through Friday evening. 

TRAFFIC CLOSURES

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said there haven't been any reports of injuries from stranded drivers Thursday. He said six or seven cars have been totaled and three drivers were rescued from flooding near Cobo.

Extra troopers have been called in across the district, Shaw said. He said people have been rescued around southeast Michigan.

Most of the flooding is due to debris caught in the storm drains, Shaw said.

Here's a full list of freeways closed due to flooding:

  • M-39 closed at Hubbard Street
  • Northbound and southbound lanes of M-10 closed under Cobo
  • I-94 closed at M-10
  • Eastbound and westbound I-94 closed at Brush Street
  • Eastbound and westbound I-94 closed at Lonyo Avenue
  • Eastbound and westbound I-94 closed at Woodward Avenue
  • Westbound I-94 closed at I-75
  • Eastbound I-94 closed at Michigan Avenue

The southbound I-75 closure might take hours to reopen, Shaw said.

Freeways reopened

Northbound Southfield Freeway reopened at Michigan Avenue at 3:12 p.m. Thursday, MDOT officials said.

All lanes of westbound I-94 reopened at Woodward Avenue in Detroit at 1:06 p.m., MDOT announced.

Southbound I-75 reopened at Clay Street in Detroit around 12:40 p.m. Thursday, MDOT officials said.

Eastbound I-94 was closed at Michigan Avenue, be reopned at 12:29 p.m. Thursday, MDOT officials announced.

Westbound I-94 was closed at I-75, but reopened at 11:52 a.m., MDOT officials said.

The ramps were closed from northbound and southbound I-75 to northbound and southbound M-10 at Griswold Street, but they have since reopened, MDOT officials announced Thursday at 11:49 a.m.

READ: Metro Detroit weather forecast

WATCH: Live Michigan Radar

CHECK: Traffic Page

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit Email Newsletters (click here) for more flooding and traffic updates.

NB and SB Lodge Freeway (M-10) under Cobo Hall

Street flooding was reported in Detroit, were water on roadways left some motorists stranded.

WATCH: Submerged car pulled from water on flooded Detroit freeway

The Lodge Freeway under Cobo Center in Detroit was reported closed due to flooding:

Vehicles were submerged on the Lodge Freeway:

I-96 stop-and-go traffic

Delays are expected in both directions of I-96:

Slow traffic on I-75

Rainfall of an inch per hour was reported in places. 

In some areas of southbound I-75, lanes have come to a complete stop.

In other areas of I-75, traffic is barely moving.

Here are some images of flooding and traffic on I-94 near I-75, where cars and trucks have tried to drive through a deep puddle of water. Local 4's Tim Pamplin is on the scene.

Stay with Local 4 and ClickonDetroit.com for traffic updates.

 


About the Authors

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

Recommended Videos