Flash floods and washouts in Houghton/Hancock area

[dcclark]

Over the weekend, the Houghton/Hancock area got 6 inches of rain in 6 hours. Many roads are washed out including some parts of US-41 and M-26. If you're heading to the Ranger dock, or heading through to the Queen at Copper Harbor, call ahead and see if it's possible to get through.

Some details with a list of major roads washed out: http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/con ... 67571.html

Update: From facebook photos, it looks like M-26 coming into Houghton from the south is also closed. There may be detours available.

Update: All highways are open again. You can get to the Ranger, seaplane, and through to the Queen without trouble.

[johnhens]

Spoke to a friend in houghton this AM, he said he has not seen damage like this ever. 4"-7' of rain. Wonder how the Island faired?

[Ingo]

Map of rainfall: https://www.weather.gov/mqt/June17_Houg ... lash_Flood
More storms possible this evening--hope not.

[Midwest Ed]

There is some terrible damage due to flash flooding in Houghton County. Fortunately it appears no loss of life or serious injuries. The Pilgrim River bridge on U.S. 41 is closed so Johnhen's earlier suggestion to cut west at Baraga on M38 to M26 is the way to go. Normally I would take county roads north instead of going 3/4 of the way to Ontonagon but I bet there are washouts on them no one knows about yet.

EDIT: Just read on ISRO Facebook, Johnhen's posted there is now a county road detour posted in Chassel for US41 Pilgrim river washout. Much shorter than going all the way to M26.

...it looks like M-26 coming into Houghton from the south is also closed. There may be detours available.

I believe M26 is open into Houghton. The damage was along the creek behind Walmart running parallel to M26. Sharon Ave is closed as is the Taco Bell and the car wash.

M26 is closed east of Hancock so getting to the seaplane dock will require a detour to come in from the east. Take US41 to the airport then airport road to Dollar Bay. The towns along the west side of Torch Lake got hit hard also with more M26 closures.

More rain is expected tonight and tomorrow so things could change. Hopefully detours will be posted by tomorrow. Stay tuned in here.

[dcclark]

M26 is closed east of Hancock so getting to the seaplane dock will require a detour to come in from the east. Take US41 to the airport then airport road to Dollar Bay. The towns along the west side of Torch Lake got hit hard also with more M26 closures.

Per local facebook friends, Airport Road is also washed out (the uphill stretch coming out of Dollar Bay).

[Midwest Ed]

Per local facebook friends, Airport Road is also washed out (the uphill stretch coming out of Dollar Bay).

Coal Dock Road is a possibility or just walk to Ripley from Hancock. It's not too far (less than a mile). Crossing the washout couldn't be worse than a beaver dam, I guess? Stay safe everyone. When in doubt don't drown, turn around.

[dcclark]

Per local facebook friends, Airport Road is also washed out (the uphill stretch coming out of Dollar Bay).

Coal Dock Road is a possibility or just walk to Ripley from Hancock. It's not too far (less than a mile). Crossing the washout couldn't be worse than a beaver dam, I guess? Stay safe everyone. When in doubt don't drown, turn around.

Hills and beaver dams -- sounds like good practice.

[dcclark]

Here's a link to a google map showing the status of washed-out roads:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewe ... 01128&z=13

[Lane]

Are there any updates on the road conditions? We are heading to Hancock sea plane less than a week away.
Thanks

[Ingo]

This will only show US and MI state routes I believe, but it shows M26 near the seaplane dock now open. US41 south of Houghton is 1 lane each direction.
https://mdotnetpublic.state.mi.us/drive/Default.aspx

[Midwest Ed]

Yesterday, on an MTU webcam, I saw the seaplane taxiing in the Portage canal close to where their dock is located.

This Detroit Free Press report has a good collection of pictures. So sad to read there have been fatalities due to this flooding.

edit:spell check

[dcclark]

The main roads are open now, so anyone who needs to travel through Houghton/Hancock can do so. Locals confirm that the seaplane dock is accessible and open.

[Lane]

Thank You All

[lellswo]

My wife and I stayed at the seaplane base the night of the flooding. I've never seen rain and lightning like that before! Since our 8:00am flight was delayed by fog on Tobin Harbor, we wandered around the seaplane base looking at all the flood damage. My heart goes out to all the folks in the area who suffered so much from these catastrophic floods. When we took off at noon, no other passengers from the 8:00am, 10:00am and noon flights were able to get to the base so we had the flight all to ourselves.