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Michigan Gov. Whitmer declared a state of emergency Friday for Gogebic and Houghton counties to help address the effects of flooding caused by accelerated snow melt.
Beginning Tuesday, parts of the U.P. experienced severe flash flooding due to packed snow melting caused by warming weather. Damages in Gogebic and Houghton counties include overwhelmed sewer and storm water systems, burst earthen dams, culvert and embankment failures, and road washouts and closures.
As a result, both counties declared a local state of emergency and requested that the governor declare a state of emergency.
Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated areas.
The National Weather Service, meanwhile, has issued flood warnings for the Menominee River near Niagara and Florence, Wis., as well as in Vulcan and below the Twin Falls Dam in Breitung Township; the Pine River near Florence; the Brule River near Commonwealth, Wis; and the Pike River near Amberg, Wis.
"Localized minor flooding is expected along rivers and creeks that typically experience spring snowmelt flooding," forecasters said. "Flooding concerns could be exacerbated this weekend into early next week due to significant rain and snowfall, with the western U.P. currently expected to get the most precipitation."