Flooding Throughout Southeastern Michigan As Winter Arrives
November 30, 2011
The National Weather Service issued flood watches and warnings for the greater portion of lower, southern Michigan Tuesday as several inches of rain and snow was expected to fall. People living in one Dearborn Heights neighborhood on the outskirts of Detroit are seeing the second big flood of 2011.
Numerous homeowners in Dearborn Heights have reported six or more inches of water in their basements by Tuesday afternoon. Many cars were pulled from the city’s streets which had been half-way submerged in two feet of water. Close to two inches of rain fell in many areas of southern Michigan which left standing water on several of Detroit’s major expressways resulting in numerous accidents. A semi trailer carry gravel jackknifed when it ran into deep water on west-bound I-94 on Detroit’s east side, closing the roadway during Monday morning rush hour.
The heavy rain changed to snow Tuesday afternoon, adding to the misery. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch or warning for several counties as up to six inches of snow was expected to fall. Wednesday’s high is forecast to be right around 40 degrees with sunshine moving in, which will cause most of the snow to melt, resulting in more flood worries for area residents and business owners.
In Detroit’s downriver area, the soaking late fall rain that began falling Tuesday evening and continued into Wednesday spurned widespread flooding. Allen Park’s Fire Department received several calls from homeowners living on the city’s north end to ask how to get the power to their homes shut off because they have at least two feet of water standing in their basements. A southern branch of Ecorse Creek had crested which sent water rushing into neighborhoods.
About 26,000 in the western suburbs of Detroit were without power Tuesday evening and forecasters are predicting dangerous driving conditions for the Wednesday morning commute. With one month to go, this year has become the wettest year in the metro Detroit area for more than a century. The Rouge and Clinton rivers as well as many creeks are expected to crest at or above flood stage tonight, causing flooding in some areas. Flooding is expected because the ground is saturated from the frequent rains which fell this fall.
Tornado-Spawning Southern Storms Kill At Least Six, Cause Widespread Damage
November 18, 2011
A number of assessments for damage were carried out on Thursday after fierce storms swept through the areas of the South claiming at least six lives, injuring dozens and causing extensive damage. Up to now, the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed nine tornadoes in six states, including the two killer ones in North Carolina and South Carolina and a long-tracked one in Georgia.
In Alabama, the weather service stated that an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 120 miles per hour and a path length of about 1.5 miles raked the Sumter County. A second EF-0 tornado in Marengo County, Alabama was verified by the NWS. The tornado had top winds of 85 miles per hour and tracked 2.57 miles.
In Georgia, a long-tracked tornado rated EF-2 in Harris County was confirmed by the NWS. The tornado was reported to have top winds of up to 125 miles per hour and a path length of about 26 miles. Two people were reported to have suffered minor injuries.
In Mississippi, the NWS confirmed three tornadoes, including the one that caused injuries to 15 people. An EF-1 tornado, which tracked for 11 miles with maximum winds of 100 miles per hour, hit the Marion and Jefferson Davis Counties. Another EF-1 tornado that travelled a distance of two miles and had top winds of 95 miles per hour was confirmed in Jones County. The third one was confirmed in Jones and Jasper Counties. This EF-2 tornado tracked 12 miles with top winds of 130 miles per hour and was blamed for injuring 15 people.
In North Carolina, the weather service confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with top winds ranging from 111 to 135 miles per hour hit the Davidson County. The twister had a path length of about eight miles. An elderly lady and her three-year old granddaughter were reported to have been killed by the tornado. Their home was also destroyed by the storm. At least, 10 people were reported to have sustained injuries. Areas around the Highway 64, Hendricks Mill Road and Allred Road suffered the most damage in Lexington. Several homes were damaged, and one home was tossed off from its foundation completely.
In South Carolina, officials confirmed an EF-2 tornado with top winds of 135 miles per hour and struck the York County. The tornado covered a distance of 2.5 miles. Three people were killed in that region. Seven homes were destroyed in one neighborhood on Williamson Road close to Highway 324. A mobile home was also lifted off by strong winds and tossed away 100 yards over another house.
In Virginia, the NWS stated that an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 100 miles per hour swept across for 2.3 miles in Pittsylvania County.
Flooding Reported Throughout Southern Florida
November 1, 2011
It was a soggy beginning to the work week in South Florida as flash flood warnings were put into effect for both Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Officials reported that many streets in Coral Gables, downtown Miami and Miami Beach were flooded. Some smaller vehicles were covered nearly to their roofs while several cars were seen actually floating in the streets. There have been reports that several drivers had to be rescued from their cars after they drove into flood waters.
Miami authorities have warned residents to stay inside and to avoid walking or driving on flooded streets as there is no way to tell how deep the water is. Health officials in Broward County are advising people not to eat or drink anything that has been in contact with flood waters and not to wade through standing water.
One Fort Lauderdale apartment complex had fifty-tree separate apartments flooded. A water restoration firm arrived on the scene early Monday to help clean up the mess as the waters slowly receded. Residents of the complex reported that they found water rising inside their units early Monday wherein they scrambled to removed electronic items and other valuables. However, many were unsuccessfully in removing all they wished to save as the water quickly seeped inside – covering baseboards and soaking carpeting.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has a location set up to assist flood victims. Sandbags have also been made available as more flooding is likely to occur. Many cars parked in underground parking garages in the city have been damaged by flood water. Power was shut off to some affected apartment complexes for safety reasons as workers began the arduous task of pumping out the contaminated water and cleaning up the mess. Fort Lauderdale received more than eight inches of rain over the weekend which was simply too much for the city to bear.
Rain is in the forecast for South Florida through mid-week. A tropical low pressure system in the Gulf is expected to dump more rain on the already soaked region. The National Weather Service has a flood watch in effect for all of South Florida which may be extended into Tuesday night. The flooding forced the closure of the Key West International Airport for three hours on Monday. Many towns and cities throughout South Florida are using pumps to help keep flood waters out of neighborhoods and off main streets.
