The Images of Flooding, Destruction in the Upper Peninsula are Shocking

Is Michigan prepared for massive weather events?

Aj Fischer/WNMU

The pictures and videos coming out this week from the Keweenaw Peninsula in the U.P. are absolutely mind-blowing.

On roads in Houghton County, the concrete is completely buckled to the point of collapse. There’s water gushing where cement used to be — as though the road had become a river through the middle of town.

Aj Fischer/WNMU

That’s what they’re dealing with this week in the Upper Peninsula, after severe thunderstorms brought rain and destruction.

And  — while this is really severe — think of how often this kind of thing is happening. Extreme weather brings on the collapse of our infrastructure here in Michigan. Roads and houses flood as sewers back up. Roads and bridges crumble as water subsumes them.

Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson speaks with someone at the center of this weekend’s weather-related calamities. 

State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) serves state House District 110 — the very last numerical district — which covers the Western Upper Peninsula, including Houghton County, where storms have caused catastrophic damage.

We want to start the show today talking about weather, infrastructure, money, and the need we have to do better here in Michigan.

“We’ve got to start looking at our priorities as a state,” says Dianda. “More of that money needs to come back to the local communities.”

Click on the audio player above to hear the full conversation.

Aj Fischer/WNMU

 

Author

  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.