Flood warnings for UP, Wisconsin
Some area waterways could remain high into Saturday, according to NWS
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An Upper Peninsula highway was closed Sunday due to flooding as the National Weather Service issued widespread flood warnings that will extend into Saturday.
The Michigan Department of Transportation closed M-28 east of Wakefield as crews worked to control flooding on the roadway. Eastbound traffic will be detoured via U.S. 2 to M-64, with the detour reversed for westbound traffic.
"There is currently no estimate for the duration of this closure," MDOT said.
Significant snowfall was expected over the western U.P. into today, according to the NWS.
"Snowmelt will slow down with the colder weather, but the heavy precipitation that is expected will cause water levels on rivers and streams and other low-lying areas to remain high," forecasters said.
In the central Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, NWS forecasters issued flood warnings for the Menominee, Pine, Pike, Brule and Peshtigo rivers.
"For the Menominee River, including Twin Falls Dam-Iron Mountain, Florence, Vulcan, Niagara, Pembine, White Rapids Dam, Koss and McAllister, major flooding is forecast," NWS said in a statement Sunday. "Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas."
In Vulcan, structures along the Menominee River on Homestead Road and Sturgeon Way Road may be affected by flood waters at 17 feet. On Sunday morning, the stage was 17.3 feet and the river was expected to rise to a crest of 17.6 feet this morning. It could fall below the flood stage of 15 feet by late Thursday, forecasters said.
Below Twin Falls Dam, water approaches a few homes or mobile homes near Rivers Bend RV Resort and Campground in Breitung Township at 20.5 feet. On Sunday morning, the stage was 20.8 feet.
The Menominee River was covering adjacent parks in both Kingsford and Niagara, Wis., on Sunday, rising to a crest of 15.5 feet Sunday. Flood stage is 13 feet and the river isn't expected to fall below flood stage until late Friday morning, forecasters said.
In Aurora, Wis., moderate flooding had River Road covered with water.
At 13.5 feet, the Brule River in Commonwealth, Wis., approaches seasonal homes. The river Sunday morning was at 14.8 feet, NWS said.
"Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely," NWS said.
Other flood warnings included the Paint River at Crystal Falls, affecting Iron County; Michigamme River near Witch Lake, affecting Dickinson and Marquette counties; Sturgeon River near Alston, affecting Houghton and Baraga counties; Middle Branch Escanaba River at Humboldt, affecting Marquette County; South Branch Ontonagon River near Ewen, affecting Ontonagon County; and Sturgeon River near Nahma Junction, affecting Delta County.