DETROIT (WWJ) - It’s a slow go in metro Detroit Wednesday morning after heavy downpours overnight left area freeways and neighborhoods flooded -- and the rain isn't over yet.
The National Weather Service says more than three inches of rain fell on portions of the area and cause widespread flash flooding. Wayne County received the brunt of the storm.
A Flood Warning remains in effect for southern Wayne County until 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. The NWS has also issued a Flood Warning for the Rouge River in Detroit. At 7 a.m. Wednesday, the stage was at 13.8 feet and rising. Flood stage is 15.0 feet.
An entire subdivision west of Telegraph and north of Van Born in Dearborn Heights is flooded. A few hundred homes are affected and officials say it could take 36 hours before the water subsides.
Multiple lane closures are being reported on area highways, including I-94, I-96, I-75 and the Southfield Freeway.
The Lodge Freeway near Cobo in downtown Detroit was also closed temporarily due to flooding.
The rain isn't over yet, either. Forecasters say we could see thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon as a cold front sweeps across the area. Any storm that develops would likely produce locally heavy rainfall with a few storms possibly becoming strong to severe. Damaging wind gusts to 60 mph are the main concern with any storm that develops. Timing for the isolated severe weather potential will be between 2 and 8 p.m.
Several rounds of rain have occurred over the past few days, saturating the ground and making area rivers and streams rise. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.