(WWJ) There's good news for drivers who use eastbound I-94 in Dearborn and Detroit: The freeway, closed since last month's historic flooding, reopened to traffic on Friday.
As of just after noon on July 9, eastbound I-94 is now open from Michigan Ave. in Dearborn to I-96. Drivers should note that the left lane closure will remain in place until next Tuesday, July 13.
The extended shutdown was the result of what officials have called a
"500-year flooding event" in Wayne County. Westbound I-94 was also shut down in that area, but reopened much more quickly as flood waters receded.
Michigan State Police told WWJ that “thousands” of cars were submerged the standing water on I-94 and dive teams had to be activated to make sure no one was beneath the water. Fortunately, no deaths were reported.
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Up to 7 inches of rain hit Detroit on Friday, June 25, going into Saturday. leaving roadways under up to 10 feet of water in some places.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, requesting a disaster designation for Michigan counties impacted by severe weather in recent weeks. The governor declared a state of emergency in Wayne County on June 26 following the heavy rains, and has now added Washtenaw, Huron and Ionia Counties to the emergency declaration list
Investigation and debate has been ongoing this week as to who, or what is to blame for the catastrophe, and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.
Meanwhile, workers from FEMA have hit the ground in Detroit to evaluate destruction done to thousands of residential properties with flooded basements. Five teams canvassed Wayne County to assess and validate home damage and disaster impacts; one of the first steps in the federal disaster declaration process.
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