Oakland County Pounded by Rain, Swamped with Flooding

Oakland County Pounded by Rain, Swamped with Flooding
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 11, 2014)
 
An unusual amount of rain has fallen in Oakland County, causing flooded basements, closed expressways and power outages.
Michigan State Police issued a statement urging people off the roads. “Please advise your viewers, listeners or readers to avoid non-essential use of the Metro Detroit Freeway system. All freeways in the Metro area are currently experiencing flooding at different points. Also remind everyone to not drive through standing water as it is hard to determine how deep the water is,” the release said.
Reports of flooded basements have come from all over South Oakland County, including Ferndale, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Berkley and Royal Oak.
The City of Hazel Park released the following statement about damage to the I-75 overpass and 9 Mile Road exits “The City of Hazel Park has experienced severe damage to portions of the I-75 Embankments caused by the heavy rainfall. The entrance ramps to N/B I-75 N/O 8 mile, and 9 Mile are closed, the Woodward Heights (9 ½ Mile) Bridge is also closed. This is due to erosion of the embankments of I-75. Multiple cars are stranded in deep water on I-75 and rope rescue’s had to be conducted by Hazel Park Fire Dept. to pull stranded motorists that were on the freeway. Some guardrails on the Chrysler Service Drive are compromised. I-75 at Nine Mile and Woodward Heights are still under several feet of water. Water is receding however further assessment of damage will be conducted as soon as possible. Initial reports indicate the freeway surface itself may be compromised and possible large holes developed due to the excessive water. Further as it becomes available and all motorists are advised to avoid the area. Our dispatch center has been inundated with calls not only from storm related calls but also all Ferndale calls, Emergency and Non Emergency, are being routed here as well. Motorists are advised to avoid the Nine Mile & John R area due to gridlock.”
Countless numbers of people have lost personal belongings due to basement flooding.  In some cases the water destroyed furnaces, hot water tanks, freezers and other appliances.  In other cases photographs and other memories were lost.
The Detroit Zoo reports damage as well, and will not open on Aug. 12.  “All animals are secure and there are no concerns with animal welfare at this time. Flooding caused damage to facilities and equipment, including the Arctic Ring of Life, boilers in other buildings, and technical equipment, though the full extent of the damage is not yet known. Staff is currently evaluating all areas of the park and beginning cleanup efforts and repairs. In order to affect the necessary repairs, several buildings will need to be closed to the public, thus full closure of the Zoo on Tuesday will most efficiently expedite this process. It is expected to reopen with regular business hours on Wednesday, August 13,” a spokesperson for the Zoo said.
Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter had this to say to residents: “4.5 inches of rain, double the previous record. We’re still doing an assessment of the damage; City Hall will be closed to day, but the District Court and Kulick Center are open, and drinking water in Ferndale is safe. We’ve been tested by nature yet again – I know damage to homes and infrastructure is extensive and we’ll seek the assistance of State and Federal authorities, but I also know this; we lived up to our Good Neighbors motto once again and I’m proud of how we looked after each other in the face of this adversity. Also proud of our City workers who have been up all night managing this unprecedented storm.” Coulter has also confirmed that the tap water is safe.  Pleasant Ridge City Manager has also stated the same about tap water through the area.
Oakland County has issued “Floodwater Safety Precautions.”  Read them before you go out, and before you clean out basements – https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/11/oakland-county-issues-floodwater-safety-precautions.
This article will be updated later this evening with stories and pictures from our readers. Find us on Facebook if you’d like to be part of the conversation. https://www.facebook.com/oc115

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