Record Rainfall Forces Michigan Residents Off the Roads

At least one woman is dead and lanes along major Detroit roadways are debris-ridden after nearly 5 inches of rain fell on Monday.

Road workers are battling mudslides and an influx in raw sewage, said Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Diane Cross.

“It’s not just the water on the roads,” Cross said. “We can’t clean up the roads, we’ve got to get the cars off the roads.”

Rainfall has impacted roads including those along I-696, I-94 and I-75, making commutes longer than usual, The Detroit Free Press reports.

Calls from people who were stranded have decreased, but Lt. Michael Shaw, of the Michigan State Police Department, said officials are still in rescue mode.

“We have dive team members in different areas to get count of how many cars are submerged,” Lt. Michael Shaw said.

A Warren woman was already found dead in a vehicle submerged in about 3 feet of water.

AAA reports that there were about 4,912 calls for assistance on Monday and 1,500 claims being processed in Michigan.

“It’s been very busy … all hands on deck,” said Susan Hiltz, public affairs director for AAA Michigan. “Our claims people are really working around the clock.”

Resident Kelly Millard shared her grief on Patch’s Facebook page: “Twenty-five inches of water in our basement! Im in tears — this is the worst.”

Michigan hasn’t had this much rainfall since 1925, making this the second heaviest thunderstorm in Michigan history.

Dan Thompson, of the National Weather Service, said scattered showers are forecast throughout the morning and afternoon today, but rainfall won’t be as heavy as it was on Monday.

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PHOTO: Severe thunderstorm causes flooding in Michigan and residents are urged to stay off the roads (Patch File Photo).