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Storms Destroy Roads & Bridges In Upper Peninsula

UPDATED MONDAY 9:30 p.m.: Heavy rains also flooded roads in northern areas of Minnesota, causing some sections to collapse. In parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain was reported, swollen waterways washed away roads, leaving behind large chunks of concrete and asphalt, making some streets impassible.

"The majority of us can't even get home. Roads are collapsed. Bridges are collapsed. Roads are covered in water. Whatever roads aren't collapsed it depends on how heavy of a vehicle you drive whether or not you are able to drive on those roads," Tom Cowell, who lives in Chassell, a community on a peninsula in Lake Superior, told local television station WLUC.

"This is a pretty wild experience that we are having here," he said.

In nearby Houghton, a swollen creek washed away much of a parking lot and a Taco Bell sign. The land up to the restaurant's building caved into an adjacent ravine. Water rushed down a hilly street through businesses, including a comic book store and sporting goods shop where employees were trying to salvage goods.

Some residents used boats to get around, though the U.S. Coast Guard warned people to stay out of recreational waterways because of the amount of storm debris. The agency also warned that the water is still very cold and could be deadly.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's office issued disaster declarations for Houghton and Menominee counties on Monday, which will allow the National Guard to deploy to the area to help with road repairs. Snyder's office said "hundreds of homes, businesses and public facilities and infrastructure" have been severely affected in the area.

Michigan Tech University and Finlandia University remain closed Monday because of the flooding and road conditions.

Storms moving across the Upper Peninsula washed out several roads in the Houghton and Hancock areas and created dozens of sinkholes across the Keweenaw Peninsula.

MLive.com reports that the storms that swept through the area early Sunday prompted officials in southern and central Houghton County to declare a Flash Flood Emergency.

The National Weather Service says that as much as six inches of rain fell in some areas and that law enforcement agencies are reporting that many roads are impassable and covered by debris.

The weather service says that area residents are asked to stay off the roads until the "water subsides and the debris has been cleared."

That may take a while because the weather service says that up to 3 inches more of rain was expected on Sunday.

Houghton County in the northwestern Upper Peninsula has been devastated by flooding. Weekend storms created rivers out of roads and completely washed away culverts and bridges.

Upper Peninsula flooding
Credit Nicole Walton / WNMU Public Media
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WNMU Public Media
Agate Street in Houghton County.

Some buildings’ foundations were severely eroded and houses ripped apart by floodwaters.

Houghton County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris VanArsdale said police are going door-to-door to make sure residents are okay.

“We’re also trying to make sure that we’re prepared for some of the structures that are potentially weakened, that we’re ready in case they give way," said VanArsdale.

VanArsdale said all-state trunklines that run through the area are damaged, and dozens of county roads are washed out.

“Some of these are 20 or 30 feet long—the whole width of the road—and five to 10 feet deep," said VanArsdale.

Some residents have been evacuated to shelters, but many were told to stay in their homes.

Officials say debris on the roads is making it difficult to go anywhere.

Upper Peninsula flooding
Credit Nicole Walton / WNMU Public Media
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WNMU Public Media
Washed out road in Houghton County.

A 12-year-old boy was injured when the basement of his house collapsed on him.

Officials had to use a boat to get the child to an ambulance.

Authorities are still trying to determine the scope of the damage.

The National Weather Service says that as much as six inches of rain fell in some areas and that law enforcement agencies are reporting that many roads are impassable and covered by debris.

The weather service says that area residents are asked to stay off the roads until the "water subsides and the debris has been cleared."

Upper Peninsula flooding
Credit Nicole Walton / WNMU Public Media
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WNMU Public Media
Flood damaged roads in Houghton County.

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