The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of "life-threatening" flooding as the Tittabawassee rose to historic levels. "Experts are describing this as a 500-year event," Whitmer told a news conference after a tour of the flood zone. Video footage of the flood zone showed high water lapping around buildings in downtown Midland, partly submerging bridges and roads. Dow Chemical, headquartered in Midland, said in a statement that all operating units, except for facilities needed for managing chemical containment, had been shut down. An EPA assessment following a major flood in 2017 found that "impacts to the Superfund site were minimal," and Dow completed "necessary, minor repairs as required."

Source: bd News24 May 21, 2020 03:45 UTC