33 Michigan counties experience floods from heavy rain and snowmelt

DETROIT - Four days of heavy rains and spring snowmelt have flooded 33 northern counties in Michigan's lower peninsula. As a result, those in the Great Lakes State are experiencing dangerous impacts to homes, roads, and infrastructure from sustained high water levels.

Cheboygan and Newaygo counties, along with Traverse City, have seen overflowing dams and rivers as well as roadway washouts. Care centers and shelters have opened to support residents who have been urged to evacuate.

According to the National Weather Service, ongoing flooding is expected Friday through Saturday as additional storm showers are expected into the weekend. Severe storms are not expected, but the scattered showers have created hazardous weather conditions .

Cheboygan County, which sits along Lake Huron and touches Lake Michigan, is also home to several large, inland lakes and the Alverno Dam. The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office reported emergency crews are using sandbags to reinforce the dam.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency, citing elevated river levels and saturated ground conditions after weeks of snow melt and heavy rains. The Governor's Office also signed an executive order to stabilize fuel in the region, as the U.S. Energy and petroleum terminal is downstream of the Alverno Dam in Cheboygan. The wet conditions have also caused an energy emergency for grid stability and resource management.

What Are the Health Risks of Flooding?

In addition to immediate emergency risks, such as people driving through flooded waterways, flooding can force people to evacuate their homes, which can lead to secondary health risks. People living with chronic health conditions may be at risk if they evacuate without an adequate supply of medications needed to manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. People can fall into medical crisis if these conditions are unmanaged.

Direct Relief has supported local health centers and free clinics throughout Michigan with medication to treat chronic conditions, including for patients who have limited ability to pay for services or may be uninsured. The organization has provided more than $36 million in medical aid to health centers, free clinics, and health-focused organizations across the state since 2008.

How is Direct Relief Responding?

Direct Relief has staff based in Michigan, and the organization is in contact with the Michigan Primary Care Association, which is actively monitoring the flooding situation across the state. The association is in close communication with its health center locations, several of which are in flood watch areas, and some with staff affected by evacuation orders. Traverse City, where several Direct Relief-supported health organizations operate, remains a concern due to the ongoing dam water levels.

Direct Relief will remain in close coordination with organizations in the state about medical needs as they become known.