UPDATE: Roads remain closed from Tuesday's flooding
UPDATE — Wednesday October 19th, 2016 9:00 a.m. EDT
A couple of roads remain closed Wednesday as a result of the flooding that occurred in parts of southern Marquette County early Tuesday morning.
M-94 between County Road 545 South and Townline Road is closed. County Road TJ (Johnson Road) in West Branch Township approximately 1.6 miles south of M-94 remains closed.
County Road OA (Yalmer Road) in Skandia Township just west of County Road OX (Dalton Road) is also closed.
According to Chocolay Township Police, Mangum Road in Chocolay Township has been reopened for traffic.
Police are asking motorists to limit travel in these areas and seek alternative routes until the roads are re-opened.
UPDATE — Tuesday October 18th, 2016 1:00 p.m. EDT
Roads remain closed as crews assess flood damage in parts of east central Marquette County.
Michigan Department of Transportation officials say the bridge on US-41 is being inspected. They are hoping to get US-41 open as soon as possible, but the bridge will need to be thoroughly examined before this can happen. In the meantime, drivers can use the official detour along County Road 480, County Road 553, M-35, and County Road 456.
Here's a map of the official detour route around the US-41 closure in Skandia. pic.twitter.com/EblXuNLjQe
— MDOT Upper Peninsula (@MDOT_UP) October 18, 2016
Officials are evaluating alternate routes. Additionally, US-2 traffic trying to get to Marquette can use M-35 and M-553 as an alternate route.
M-94 has sustained severe damage due to a culvert washout at the east branch of the Chocolay River. No official detour route has been decided upon at this time. That damage — which has resulted in a hole around 35 feet deep in the middle of the roadway — will require a longer-term closure.
Site of Chocolay River culvert washout on M-94 this morning. Severe damage to roadway. pic.twitter.com/Z4gd2hGbsU
— MDOT Upper Peninsula (@MDOT_UP) October 18, 2016
A Flood Warning remains in effect along the Chocolay River. We will pass on more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE — Tuesday October 18th, 2016 8:15 a.m. EDT
Rescue efforts are wrapping up on Green Garden Road in Chocolay Township.
Officials on scene from the Chocolay Township Fire Department told ABC 10 that no injuries were reported in the area. Responders checked on several houses in the area, and the number of people assisted was reportedly in the double digits. All of those rescued were checked out by EMS crews. One person was given shelter at the Chocolay Township Hall, and others sought shelter elsewhere for the time being.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter is being brought in from Traverse City to make sure no one remains stranded in the flooded area. Stay with ABC 10 for the latest.
UPDATE — Tuesday October 18th, 2016 7:15 a.m. EDT
Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Post report that as of 7:00 a.m. EDT, Mangum Road has been added to the list of closures.
US-41 remains closed between Heidtman Road and Yalmer Road, and police are routing southbound traffic down County Road 480, while northbound US-41 traffic is being routed onto M-94 East. M-94 between County Road 595 and Engman Lake Road as well as Green Garden Road also remain closed.
Motorists are advised to limit travel in this area if possible until conditions are improved and the roads can be reopened. Police, firefighters, and EMS are working to assist residents to safety and assist with traffic control.
The National Weather Service also issued a Flood Warning for the Chocolay River near Harvey. The additional Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for some areas in the river basin as well.
UPDATE — Tuesday October 18th, 2016 5:45 a.m. EDT
The National Weather Service has also issued a flash flood warning for east central Marquette County due to flooding in portions of the Chocolay River Basin. Areas such as Harvey, Skandia, Shot Point, Carlshend, and Beaver Grove are expected to experience flooding. Small creeks, streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying spots could be affected. The warning is in effect until 10:00 a.m. EDT.
A flood advisory is in effect for southwestern Alger County, north central Menominee County, northern Dickinson County, and northeastern Marquette County until 9:15 EDT.
The Sturgeon River near Nahma Junction in Delta County is under a flood advisory this morning as well.
Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Post also report that Green Garden Road has also been flooded and rescue crews are working to assist residents.
SKANDIA — US 41 in West Branch Township / Skandia area is closed due to flooding at the Chocolay River (just north of Yalmer Rd / Hyndman’s General Store).
W M94 is also closed between Engman Lake & N Co. Rd. 545 due to the road being washed out.
Michigan State Police, Skandia-West Branch Fire Department, and Marquette County Road Commission are on scene.
For now, northbound traffic on US 41 should use E M94 to M28 in Munising.
Police are advising drivers to not attempt to drive through flooded roadways. “It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles,” the Marquette County Central Dispatch/Emergency Management said in a Facebook post. “It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.”
