The Latest: Flooding from heavy rains hits southern Michigan

DETROIT – The Latest on flooding from heavy rainfall across much of southern Michigan (all times local):

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5:30 p.m.

Flooding from strong and lengthy overnight rains has forced street closures in Kalamazoo and closed some downtown businesses.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that some morning commuters stalled in standing water and became stranded.

Deputy Kalamazoo City Manager Jeff Chamberlain said there was no timetable for the streets to be reopened and that “it’s completely up to Mother Nature.”

The National Weather Service said 5.5 inches of rain was reported in the southern Michigan city of Jackson while 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain fell in the Detroit area. Flood warnings and advisories were issued for much of the southern Lower Peninsula.

The Macomb Daily reports that a flood warning has been issued for the Clinton River in Sterling Heights and Clinton Township, north of Detroit.

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8:15 a.m.

Heavy rains brought flooding to parts of southern Michigan, closing portions of some Detroit-area freeways and leaving some streets impassable there and in the southwestern portion of the state.

Closings due to flooding early Tuesday included the Lodge Freeway in downtown Detroit. Portions of interstates 696 and 94 in the Detroit are also saw partial or full closings. The flooding followed heavy rains that fell overnight and left some vehicles stranded.

The National Weather Service says 5.5 inches of rain was reported in the southern Michigan city of Jackson while 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain fell in the Detroit area. Flood warnings and advisories were issued for much of the southern Lower Peninsula.

State officials on Monday urged Lower Peninsula residents to prepare for possible flooding.