UPDATE: Officials update situation in Gogebic County
UPDATE — Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 1:53 p.m. (EDT)
Gogebic County Emergency Management has confirmed that Lake Road will remain closed from Upper Powers Road to the State line. The affected area in Gogebic County contains around 80 to 100 residents, five of which were evacuated yesterday at Little Girls Point.
The Gogebic County Road Commission is continuing to work on Lake Road, Powers Road, and Brace Road to give better access to residents. No injuries have yet been reported at Little Girls Point.
Most of the power has been restored but there are still some downed trees throughout Wakefield. Xcel Energy is still in the process of repairing power lines. Sunday Lake remains closed to boating traffic.
UPDATE — Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 7:19 a.m. (EDT)
The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office reported that power has been restored to the affected areas.
Crews are currently working on Powers Road to gain entry to the more damaged roadways.
We will keep you updated as we receive more information.
UPDATE — Tuesday, July 12th, 2016 2:53 p.m. (EDT)
The State of Michigan announced the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center this morning due to the severe weather in Gogebic County.
According to a release from the Michigan State Police, the National Weather Service confirmed a low-end EF-1 tornado struck three miles south of Bessemer. Winds blowing at around 90 miles per hour resulted in downed trees, power outages, and flooding in multiple areas of the county.
SEOC personnel are monitoring the situation, and the state has provided uniform, aviation, and marine services through the State Police. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters are also assisting with search and rescue operations.
The Gogebic County Emergency Management Agency has also announced that power for most residents in the City of Wakefield will hopefully be restored sometime this evening. Due to substantial damage in some areas, power outages may continue for a time. Emergency Management will keep residents up to date as further updates are received.
Additionally, Sunday Lake in Wakefield is closed to any use due to debris from the storm. That debris is considered a potential danger to people and property.
Little Girls Point emergency responders are still reaching out to residents along Lake Road to check on the status of residents, and officials say they will continue to do so until everyone has been checked. The Gogebic County Road Commission is working to fix roads, but it is unknown when repairs will be complete.
You can call the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office for more information at (906) 667-0203. If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
UPDATE — Tuesday, July 12th, 2016 11:30 a.m. (EDT)
A local emergency has been declared in Gogebic County due to Monday night’s storm.
The Gogebic County Emergency Manager and County Officials declared the emergency at around 6:00 a.m. flash flooding and downed trees hit Bessemer Township, the City of Wakefield, and Ironwood Township. Multiple agencies are responding — and will continue to respond — to the incident.
Lake Road is closed from Little Girls Point to the Wisconsin border due to flooding and washed out roads. Emergency Services of Gogebic County are in the process of checking on and assisting residents at Little Girls Point. Officials ask that anyone who is stranded shelter in place until rescuers arrive.
Those with questions can reach the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department at (906) 667-0203. If you have non-emergency issues, you may have to visit some township or city facilities in person, as downed power lines may prevent contact by phone. If you have an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
At this time, there are no reports of injuries or missing people within the county.
WAKEFIELD — With massive storms covering the U.P. overnight, several areas in Gogebic County suffered storm damage.
The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office says the areas of Wakefield, Little Girls Point and Black River Harbor were heavily affected by the storm. Lake Road and Wisconsin 122 are impassable this morning. These areas were suffering from downed power lines and flash flooding.
The Sheriff’s Office is urging residents in the affected areas to stay in their homes unless travel is absolutely necessary. They are also cautioning travelers not to drive through water accumulation on the roads as the road may be gone. Emergency crews are working this morning to gain access to the damaged areas.
The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings and a flash flood warning for parts of the western U.P. overnight, but those warnings have since expired.