Thunderstorms are expected to pummel a large swath of Southeast Michigan with rain Wednesday, July 9, as forecasters warn that heavy, sudden downpours could cause localized flooding.
The risk, the National Weather Service said, is marginal, but the downpours may be torrential. There’s also a chance, meteorologists said, for large hail, damaging wind and power outages.
Dangerous weather is on the minds of many as the death toll now more than 100 from flooding in Texas is expected to rise as hope of rescuing more than 160 people who are still missing diminishes.
What’s more, three people died in more recent flooding in New Mexico. In south-central New Mexico, slow-moving storms and what was described as “monsoon rains” on Tuesday destroyed a mountain resort town 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
Meanwhile, parts of Southeast Michigan already were drenched early Wednesday, July 9, with isolated thunderstorms, and another round of severe storms, between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., is expected to bring more downpours.
The storms also could bring quarter-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to reach highs in the low 80s, adding to woes if the power goes out.
“There’s flood potential,” weather service meteorologist Dave Kook said, especially in Flint and Pontiac, which were already drenched. “We’ve been talking about the potential for heavy rainfall with these thunderstorms as we have through most of the spring.”
Kook declined to comment on weather service staffing or climate change, but urged Michiganders to stay vigilant and informed. The weather service exists, he said, to offer forecasts and warnings that can protect life and property.
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Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 orfwitsil@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Thunderstorms could bring flooding, dangerous winds, hail to Southeast Michigan
Reporting by Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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