A State of Emergency Is Declared in Copper Country, MI after Severe Flooding Damaged Buildings and Inundated Roads

HOUGHTON, Mich. — June 19, 2018

 Heavy rainfall of up to 7 inches fell in a short period of time as strong storms hit Michigan, particularly the Keweenaw Peninsula. More than 60 road washouts and sinkholes were reported by Monday morning, according to Floodlist. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency in southern and central Houghton County.

Residents of the area say there have been emergency evacuations in some areas.

Some residents evacuated after officials announced a voluntary evacuation order for some areas of the county, and some people are now stranded.

The weekend storms also caused what is known as a meteotsunami on Lake Michigan in Traverse City, which is south of the Upper Peninsula, WZZM-TV reported. A meteotsunami is a large wave that is caused by storms, according to the National Ocean Service.

Weekend storms also brought extreme flooding to northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, washing out roads there, too, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.