Northern Michigan lakeshore, homes surrounded by water after flooding

Max Reinhart, The Detroit News on Apr 16, 2026

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DETROIT — Entire neighborhoods along the Black Lake in northern Michigan have been submerged amid ongoing flooding that may worsen in the coming days.

Drone footage taken along the river shoreline Thursday shows dozens of homes swamped by water on all sides.

Residents were working to remove belongings from their waterlogged homes, using four-wheelers or even paddleboards to get their items to higher ground.

On Thursday, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division encouraged residents along the Cheboygan River and Black Lake in Cheboygan County, from the city of Cheboygan south to the area of the unincorporated community of Alverno, "to be prepared and pack necessary items in case you are evacuated."

The agency said it expects increased amounts of water to pass through the Alverno Dam over the next several days.

The Black Lake flows north into the Black River and eventually makes its way to the Cheboygan River.

In Indian River, Michigan, homes along the Sturgeon River, including those on Grace Street and West Barbara Avenue, were surrounded by floodwaters Thursday. Residents piled hundreds of sandbags to keep floodwaters at bay.

Dennis Anderson and Kurt Myers were found resting on the lawn after spending the day Thursday placing sandbags around their homes. Water from the river glistened in the background as they perched in Aidirondack chairs.

State officials said heavy rains and snowmelt have raised water levels across northern Lower Michigan over the past week. Another round of rain is expected to sweep through the area Friday night.

Much of northern Lower Michigan is under a flood warning through Saturday.