The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is urging residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to take precautions as more heavy storms are expected across southeast Michigan through Wednesday, June 18.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is investigating a possible tornado that may have touched down in Fraser.
The National Weather Service in White Lake is forecasting 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall over the next 12 hours, raising the risk of flash flooding. While GLWA says the regional sewer system is operating as designed, the agency advises residents to stay alert and remove valuables from basements as a precaution.
Ann Arbor, Whitmore Lake and other cities in Washtenaw and Livingston counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8 p.m., according to the NWS.
A severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Michigan, including Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties, was issued until 10 p.m., according to the NWS. A line of severe storms is expected to move through southeast Michigan between 6 and 10 p.m., with scattered strong storms possible ahead of it.
A flash flood warning was in effect for central and southern Macomb County until about 4:30 p.m. Flooding was reported in Clinton Township, Macomb Township, Fraser, and other areas.
Macomb County Public Works' rain gauges allow residents to view real-time and historical rainfall amounts by neighborhood. Wednesday afternoon rain totals in Clinton Township reached 4.23 inches near Elizabeth Road and Starks Drive, and 3.82 inches along Garfield Road near 18 Mile Road.
There was also a report of a water rescue where a driver became stranded in their vehicle in Clinton Township, said NWS White Lake meteorologist Trent Frey.
Possible tornado in Macomb County
The NWS is investigating a possible tornado that may have touched down around 1:05 p.m. near Kelly Road between 14 Mile and 15 Mile roads in Fraser. A tornado warning was briefly issued for northern Macomb County but later canceled.
More severe weather is expected into the evening, with the potential for damaging wind gusts, hail and isolated tornadoes.
"It's a low chance, but we can't rule it out at this point," Frey said. " There's going to be another line of storms that comes in from the west and south this evening and late afternoon."
The main threat is damaging wind gusts, but tornadoes cannot be ruled out, according to the NWS.
"If you get a warning, take shelter," Frey added. "Be ready to act because it looks like there's going to be more storms coming in tonight."
Power outages
As of 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, more than 4,500 DTE Energy customers were without power. Consumers Energy reported nearly 5,500 outages in its service area.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.