Funnel Clouds Spotted, Flooding Reported As Severe Storms Blow Across Southeast Michigan
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - A line of severe storms is pelting parts of metro Detroit.
Following that gorgeous weekend, the National Weather Service says — along with heavy rains — damaging winds with gusts up to 60 miles per hour, hail one inch in diameter, and even an isolated tornado are possible into the night Monday.
Tornado Warnings were posted for some areas of Southeast Michigan, beginning in the afternoon. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for the entire region until 10 p.m.
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AccuWeather Meteorologist John Feerick says the greatest impact will be heavy rainfall in the short period of time, and flooding is possible. He warns metro Detroiters to keep an eye out for some "vivid cloud-to-ground lightning."
"So, obviously, take cover as these storms do work their way through," Feerick said.
A Flash Flood Warning was posted for northern Oakland and Livingston counties as well as southern Genesee and Shiawassee counties. A flood warning means small creeks, streams and low-lying areas including freeway underpasses could flood. Some of the cities that could experience flooding include Clarkston, Oxford, Holly and Fenton.
There were numerous reports in Livingston County of possible funnel clouds, according to Emergency Management Director Mike Kinaschuk.
"Well, we didn't have anything that was reported on the ground," Kinaschuk told WWJ Newsradio 950. "However we did get calls into central dispatch that indicated that a funnel cloud was spotted in the area of Gregory, Michigan, which is in the southwest corner of Livingston county."
Kinaschuk said there was some flooding reported in low-lying areas.
Some of the heaviest storms, early on, hit west of the metro Detroit area — but fortunately there was no major damage there, according to Marc Breckenridge, Director of Emergency Services fior Washetnaw County.
"What we do have is a report from Sky Warn spotters that there is some strong rotation being detected actually on the ground," Breckenridge said, late in the afternoon. "They're seeing the cloud bases rotating, in particular near Whitmore Lake."
In Flint, record rainfall was reported. More than an inch of rain fell Monday afternoon breaking a record that was set in 1966.
Seven inches of water reported at the intersection of Ecrose and Beech in Taylor, and large hail was reported near Ypsilanti.
At Metro Airport in Romulus, there were public address announcements telling people to evacuate the stairwells and bathrooms. People at the airport told WWJ everyone was remaining calm and no one was panicking.
Looking ahead, Feerick said temperatures will cool off a bit as showers and thunderstorms Monday night. A cold front will come in Tuesday, bringing another wave of afternoon and evening storms. Tuesday, the high will get up to around 84 degrees before things cool off quite a bit for Wednesday through the rest of the workweek, with more rain expected.
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