Flood Watch: Heavy Rain Expected In Metro Detroit Overnight

DETROIT (WWJ) - Be prepared. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch, in effect for the metro Detroit area and beyond — beginning at midnight Monday.

The advisory, which will expire at noon on Tuesday, covers the following Michigan counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe. This includes the cities of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, Warren, Port Huron, Midland, Bay City, Bad Axe, Saginaw, Caro, Sandusky, Owosso, Flint, Lapeer, Howell, Adrian and Monroe.

The NWS says three inches of rain is expected in the Detroit area and up to four inches could fall from the 1-69 corridor northward. There's also a chance for some thunderstorms.

WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Bowers says the heaviest rainfall will likely happen between midnight and 6 a.m.

The flood watch, he said, is warranted.

"This is a storm which had some tropical origins, down along the Gulf coast," Bowers said. "It's actually a piece of that system that's brought horrible flooding down in Louisiana."

Bowers says metro Detroiters should expect flooding on roads and other poor drainage areas as the system — traveling northeastward across the country — cuts right through our state.

"Looking at the Doppler 950 radar, it's just a wall of water now coming up into the southern counties of the listening area," he said, late Monday afternoon, "so we'll get into a fairly steady rain."

The NWS says river and stream flooding is likely, and that there's the usual risk of basement flooding in susceptible areas. Those living in areas prone to flooding are urged to stay informed and be prepared to take action if necessary.

Don't get stranded in the storm: Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest forecast during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. See live, local radar now at this link.