WATERFORD (WWJ) - Damage from last week's storms in Metro Detroit has forced one high school in the Waterford School District to change where they will play their football games this fall.
In a letter sent to the families of students at Waterford Mott High School, officials said flooding from the torrential rains unleashed by severe storms a week ago caused a safety issue on the football field.
As a result, all home football games will be held at Kettering High School.
Superintendent Scott Lindberg wrote in the letter that staff tried to address the flooding and minimize any issues, but the field sustained significant damage.
"A licensed contractor has reviewed the damage and determined it is unlikely the field will be safe for students to use for any sporting games for the rest of the fall season," Lindberg said.
The athletic department is working on arranging practice schedules for other teams that use the field, the letter went on to say.
Some students voiced their disappointment in the change to WXYZ, saying that playing home games elsewhere "doesn't feel like home."
District officials maintain that their primary focus is making sure the fall football season remains safe, competitive and exciting.
After last week's storms, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Wayne and Monroe counties to help with response and recovery efforts to flooding and damage caused by high winds and heavy rain.
Seven tornadoes hit Michigan's Lower Peninsula during Thursday (Aug. 24) night's storms, including four in Wayne County, as crews continue to survey the damage seven days later.
Five deaths were reported across Michigan as a result of the storms, including the fatality on I-96.
Three people were killed, including two children, in a crash north of Grand Rapids Thursday night when a car hydroplaned in water on the road, according to authorities.
In Lansing, one person was killed when a tree fell onto a home.