UPDATED: Rain Causes Flooding, Disrupts Traffic

According to Plymouth Township police, an area at M-14 and Sheldon Road was closed tonight after flooding from heavy rainfall accompanying storms that have hit much of Southeast Michigan throughout the day. 

At about 9 p.m., traffic appeared to be flowing again and a police officer who was guiding traffic onto Sheldon Road from M-14 was leaving the area.

The right southbound lane on Sheldon Road remained blocked off with cones.

Kristin Dombrowski of Plymouth Township said in an email that her boyfriend, Eric Sweet, who lives with her in Plymouth Township, was coming home about 8 p.m. when he got stuck in backed-up traffic on M-14.

"(He) said as he was passing the Beck (Road) exit, he could see traffic stopped up ahead," she said. "He could see flashing police lights, also."

She said Sweet initially thought it was an accident and that he gets off at the Sheldon Road exit to come home.

"He tried to go around on the shoulder before realizing that it was the Sheldon exit itself that was backed up," she said. "The police were actually having people who had passed Sheldon exit turn around on the expressway and exit the expressway using the on ramp."

She said the entrance to M-14 was also closed in both directions and the police were using road flares. 

The National Weather Service had earlier issued a flood warning for much of Southeast Michigan including the following counties: Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Livingston, Macomb, St. Clair, Monroe and Lenawee. 

The flood warning will remain in effect until 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

A hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service reports that numerous thunderstorms are expected through tonight. There is a chance some of these thunderstorms might become severe. The strongest storms will be capable of producing large hail up for 1 1/2 inches in diameter and damaging winds up to 70 mph. There also is a chance of isolated tornadoes. 

The report said heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding also is possible.

Although the threat for severe weather extends as far north as Saginaw, the greatest threat will be along the Interstate 94 corridor, the report said. The report indicated the greatest threat for severe weather is between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m., with the storm moving northeast at 30 mph.

View the weather radar here.

According to the DTE Energy website, some minor power outages have been reported. A current map of outages is available here.

In Northville, continuous rain causes some flooding 

On Seven Mile Road near Silver Springs Road, one lane is impassible for about 10 feet on the Eastbound side, at the base of the hill, where water has collected.

At the plaza near Six Mile and Haggerty roads, Cross Road leading to Ward Church from Haggerty, next to , is blocked off due to flooding.

Six Mile Road, underneath the bridge just east of Northville Road, is flooded causing drivers in both directions to veer closely toward the middle.

Silver Springs Road also has large areas of water collected near the elementary school.

Northville Road is also causing some delays just north of Seven Mile Road, as of about 4 p.m., where pools of water have also collected.

According to school district emails, track practices at  and  middle schools are canceled.

Roads closed in Canton

Canton Police have begun closing some flooded roads, starting with Sheldon south of Ford.

Township public safety officials report that nearly four feet of water has accumulated at the intersection of Ford and Canton Center Road a request has been sent to Wayne County road officials to close that intersection as well. At least three vehicles are stalled out in the area, creating a road hazard, according to police scanner radio traffic.

Drivers should also avoid Haggerty south of Ford, which is also flooded, according to Canton Police.

Ford Road is now closed as of about 6 p.m., between Sheldon and Beck roads.

Canton librarian Anne Heathen used Twitter to alert people that Lilley Road, just north of Ford Road, was impassible and the right lane of eastbound Hanford Road near Haggerty Road was "totally flooded."

Plymouth Township resident Cathy Donaldson commented on Canton Patch's Facebook page that the intersetion of Warren and Canton Center roads was also flooded.

Come back to Plymouth Patch for updates.