CANADIAN COAST GUARD

DETROIT – The U.S. Coast Guard’s winter icebreaking operation on the eastern Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway began this week. The operation includes southern Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair, to the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, into lakes Erie and Ontario, and includes the St. Lawrence Seaway. The USCG partners with the Canadian Coast Guard on these waterways throughout the winter. RELATED: Coast Guard begins Great Lakes’ icebreaking operations in Lake SuperiorUSCG Sector Detroit provides command and control for Operation Coal Shovel and may place restrictions or close waterways as ice conditions dictate. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends all recreational ice users plan their activities carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay away from shipping channels.

An oil spill has closed shipping traffic on the St. Marys River between Ontario and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday.

"The ship is on fire and expelling toxic gas," the Canadian Coast Guard said of the Zim Kingston, warning other vessels to steer clear.

EAST CHINA, Mich. – A State of Emergency was declared in Saint Clair County due to the flooding along its titular river -- and ongoing cold weather is expected to bring more ice jams, causing more flooding concerns for residents. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for southeastern Saint Clair County until 10 a.m. Tuesday. The jam forced the St. Clair River to overflow, causing water to surround the homes nearby. READ: Ice jams cause significant flooding along St. Clair River“Came right over the top. More information on the survey can be found on the Be Ready St. Clair County website here or its official Facebook page here.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mich. – A State of Emergency was declared in Saint Clair County due to the flooding along its titular river. Ice jams have caused the Saint Clair River to flood significantly. The State of Emergency was declared due to widespread damages to property caused by the flooding. Citizens who are impacted by flooding to their properties are encouraged to utilize the online self-reporting survey to catalogue and report damage. More information on the survey can be found on the Be Ready St. Clair County website here or its official Facebook page here.

DETROIT (AP) — A freighter has become stuck in a Detroit River channel, slowing some shipping between the Great Lakes. The Harvest Spirit ran aground Wednesday on the Canadian side of the river, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) south of Detroit. “They apparently experienced some sort of lube oil failure and starting drifting,” U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jeremiah Schiessel told The Detroit News. Officials have received no reports Thursday of pollution from the freighter, according to Lauren Solski, a Canadian Coast Guard spokeswoman. On Wednesday, the Canadian Coast Guard started directing other vessels, if their operators deemed it safe, to use the shallower Amherstburg Channel.

GROSSE ILE, Mich. Emergency personnel are searching the Detroit River, just south of Stony Island, after a boat capsized Sunday night. According to authorities, the incident happened at about 7:30 p.m. Police said a boater from Ontario witnessed the incident and was able to province assistance to most of the passengers, but two adults have gone missing. Police said at least nine people were onboard, consisting of adults and children. The search included Grosse Ile Police and Fire crews, the Wayne County Marine Division, Canadian Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and the Downriver Dive Team. The status of the victims and their names have not been released by authorities.