In an unexpected turn of events, a beloved section of Michigan’s famed “tunnel of trees” has succumbed to nature’s forces, leaving behind a massive crater. This dramatic erosion was triggered by heavy rain, creating a precarious situation for the community below, who now face the threat of an overflowing dam.
The renowned Highway M-119, which runs between Island View and Division Road, found itself abruptly shut down last week. The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office attributed this closure to a sudden collapse of the road, likely caused by flooding.
For many, this route is a cherished scenic drive, tracing a picturesque 20-mile path along the shores of Lake Michigan. With its current impassable state, authorities have urged drivers to find alternative routes to sidestep the damaged area. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s traffic updates confirm the road is closed in both directions.
The region has been grappling with a mix of showers and melting snow since Thursday morning, with forecasts warning of additional rain. Meteorologists anticipated up to half an inch of rainfall, with storm conditions developing. As of Sunday, parts of Emmet County had already received about an inch of rain, as reported by Fox 2.
Further complicating the situation, the heaviest downpours were expected to target the M-72 corridor and areas in southern Lower Michigan. With temperatures on a downward trend, a combination of rain and snow seemed likely, according to Yahoo’s weather analysis.
The heaviest rain was expected to hit the M-72 corridor and southern Lower Michigan, with the potential for rain and snowfall as temperatures dropped, Yahoo reported.
Snowmelt from a March winter storm significantly contributed to flooding conditions as rain fell over the weekend. Officials issued the first warnings of rising waters on April 7, as the water level sat 21.5 inches below the top of the Cheboygan Dam, CBS News reported.
The Cheboygan River reached 13.75 inches at the dam by Monday morning. Officials urged residents to sandbag their homes and secure outdoor items, move valuables to higher levels and prepare to evacuate, according to the outlet.
The M-119 between Island View and Division Road was closed after part of the roadway collapsed ‘presumably due to flooding’ as Michigan is placed under several flood warnings
Officials issued the first warnings of rising waters on April 7, as the water level sat 21.5 inches below the top of the Cheboygan Dam (pictured)
The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office advised anyone driving along the route to seek an alternative to avoid the road damage
On Sunday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources activated five pumps to divert water around the dam, Fox 17 reported.
‘All of the dam gates on the DNR-managed portion of the dam are fully open to handle this flow. The pumps add to the capacity,’ Richard Hill, Gaylord District Supervisor for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, said.
‘We are putting through as much water as we can.’
Hill added that crews are working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates the dam, as they decide on options to re-open a hydroelectric generation station to move more water.
‘Our objectives for this incident are to work closely with FERC and the operators and owners of the hydro building to look at options,’ Hill said. ‘Some water is going through the bypass valves on that part of the dam.’
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the northern half of Lower Michigan as well as all of the Upper Peninsula.
Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit on Monday evening lasting through the night before a brief relief brings another wave of storms on Tuesday evening, including winds, hail and tornadoes, Fox 17 reported.
Around 1.4 inches of rain is predicted to fall across the state, with some areas seeing as much as 2.5 inches, according to the NWS.
The collapsed roadway has been a popular scenic drive, seen above, in Michigan along a 20-mile stretch of road along Lake Michigan
Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit on Monday evening lasting through the night before a brief relief brings another wave of storms on Tuesday evening, including winds, hail and tornadoes
As of Monday, rivers and dams, including Cheboygan, Tippy and Mio Dam, are under flash flood and flood warnings
By Thursday, Michigan is expected to see around 2.8 inches of rain, winds of up to 60 miles per hour and possibly one-inch hail
‘Early morning rain will exit early on, leaving us with a relative lull in rainfall today [Monday]. However, multiple rounds of rain are expected across northern Michigan through this week,’ NWS posted on X.
‘The next one will be tonight, with rainfall totals over 1 inch likely for some, especially south of M-32.’
As of Monday, rivers and dams, including Cheboygan, Tippy and Mio Dam, are under flash flood and flood warnings, the Detroit Free Press reported.
In the northern Lower Peninsula, the Tippy Dam in Manistee county and the Mio Dam in Alcona and Oscoda counties were opened to release water and are expected to cause flash flooding downstream.
Officials advised those living below the dams to move to higher ground and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
Rains are expected to carry on through Wednesday and Thursday, with West Michigan under a level one risk for severe storms as around one to two inches of rain is expected to fall.
By Thursday, Michigan is expected to see around 2.8 inches of rain, winds of up to 60 miles per hour and possibly one-inch hail, according to the NWS.
Water levels were already rising following rain last week on ‘already saturated ground,’ further increasing the chances of destructive flooding, the NWS said.
