The overnight downpour transformed sections of Detroit Metro Airport into an isolated area, inundating the passageways connecting to and from the McNamara Terminal, a key hub for Delta Airlines. Travelers found themselves stranded for hours, with extensive queues of vehicles queued up en route to the airport.Furthermore, a substantial portion of Canton experienced severe flooding, and this condition extended to parts of Van Buren Township, Plymouth, and Novi.By approximately 12:30 p.m., limited access to the terminal was reinstated, accessible from Eureka Road through the southern tunnel. The floodwaters had considerably receded. However, the northern tunnel remained closed, with additional delays and cancellations anticipated for Delta flights.The flooding around I-275 near I-94 resulted in several vehicles being submerged, and a family had to abandon their car when it stalled in the flooded vicinity near Detroit Metropolitan Airport, causing passengers and potential travelers to be stranded on August 24, 2023."We are actively addressing the challenges arising from this flood situation," conveyed Randy Wimbley, spokesperson for Wayne County Airport Authority, to the Free Press. "We will issue further updates as soon as possible regarding access to the McNamara Terminal."Wimbley indicated that the airport was expediting the removal of water from the Dingell Drive tunnels, which were obstructing passage to the main terminal. He appealed for passengers' patience, although some waiting flyers expressed that their patience was running thin after hours of delay.Uncertainty Abounds The most significant source of frustration for passengers at Metro Airport stemmed from the lack of clear information.Tracy Gregg, a passenger, recounted being among the thousands waiting to reach the terminal before noon. Her flight on the preceding Wednesday night had been canceled. After returning at 5:30 a.m., she had been standing in line to access the terminal since 9 a.m."It's an incredibly stressful situation," she remarked. "We're utterly clueless about what steps to take."Delta informed the Free Press that they were handling cancellations and anticipated more to come. They assured that customers whose flights were canceled would be automatically rebooked onto the next available itinerary, ensuring minimal delay towards their final destination.Throughout the morning, incoming flights to Detroit Metro were held up, as reported by FlightAware, a flight tracking website. As of 1:20 p.m., departures were subject to an average delay of almost an hour. Additionally, the site registered 45 flight delays and 24 cancellations for flights scheduled between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m."We are aware of the inconvenience this poses for our customers," Delta conveyed, while also apologizing "for the disruption."Marooned at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport due to the deluge of rain on August 24, 2023, passengers and potential travelers were left stranded. Many opted to trek to Eureka Road from McNamara Terminal upon landing, in hopes of reconnecting with their families.Several individuals who arrived at Metro Airport on Thursday morning managed to find their way out by foot. Expressing frustration, they pointed out the limited guidance provided by both airlines and airport staff. Vehicle traffic towards the airport was heavily congested as well.Canton's Submergence The National Weather Service reported an approximate rainfall of 5½ inches in metro Detroit.The Michigan Department of Transportation confirmed flooding in "multiple locations," with the most severe being at the interchange of Interstate 275 and Interstate 94. Numerous interchange ramps were also shut down.Images from the news displayed flooded roads on highways, with vehicles stranded in deep water.Canton's public safety officials dispatched officers to assist residents grappling with flooding, as a considerable portion of the township was submerged. Aerial photographs circulating on social media depicted water-covered roadways at Ford and Canton Center.Other locations affected by flooding include:- Belleville Road in Van Buren Township, closed between Van Born and Yost Road, with submerged vehicles reportedly abandoned.- Plymouth's Northville and Five Mile roads were flooded, as were Joy Road and portions of Harvey.- South Lake Drive in Novi, closed between Bernstadt Street and Lakeshore Park.- Following the intense rain, flooding engulfed Sheldon Road in Canton, specifically around major retail stores, including Kohl's at New Towne Center, on August 24, 2023.Meteorologists predicted the water would eventually recede; however, more rain was forecasted for Thursday afternoon.
