Flash Flooding and Hail in Michigan, June 12, 1999

Yet another hot and humid day for southeast Michigan, producing an unstable atmosphere prone to thunderstorm development. The first thunderstorms developed early in the afternoon along lake breeze boundaries off of Lake Erie and Lake St Clair. Additional storms developed along the outflow boundaries from the initial thunderstorms, and things quickly snowballed from there.Most of the severe thunderstorms produced either marginally severe hail, or damaging wind gusts that downed trees and power lines. The most widespread damage was in Redford, where two homes and several cars suffered extensive damage after being hit by toppled trees. Trees were also downed onto cars in Royal Oak. A swath of tree damage also occurred from Inkster to Dearborn. Sheriffs reported a 60 mph gust in Macomb Township, and a 65 mph gust in Inkster.The same thunderstorm that produced severe weather in Redford also contributed to flash flooding there, and in the surrounding communities. About three inches of rain fell during the severe thunderstorm, with over five inches of rain for the event as a whole. This produced substantial urban flooding in Southfield, Redford, and Dearborn. Warren Avenue, Michigan Avenue, and Eight Mile Road were among the major highways that saw flooding. Many homes suffered basement flooding in this heavily urbanized area. Some side streets in Redford had standing water into the following day.