Cheboygan County orders evacuation due to levee breach

Officials say the evacuation is unrelated to the Cheboygan Dam and Lock, which is also being monitored.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:54pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted blues and grays, with a damaged levee structure barely visible in the distance, dwarfed by the expansive, turbulent waters that have flooded the low-lying area.A serene landscape transformed by a devastating flood, as a damaged levee structure is overwhelmed by the power of nature.Cheboygan Today

The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office has issued an evacuation order for low-lying areas near the Little Black River Watershed due to a levee breach. Residents in the impacted area, which includes the US-23 shoreline, south to the Cheboygan River, down to Lincoln Street, along Court Street to Levering Road and Inverness Trail, are being asked to evacuate their homes immediately and travel south of Cheboygan. The county has also provided a list of available shelters for those who cannot evacuate on their own.

Why it matters

Levee breaches can lead to catastrophic flooding, putting lives and property at risk. The evacuation order is a necessary precaution to protect residents in the affected areas until the situation can be brought under control.

The details

According to officials, the levee breach is unrelated to the Cheboygan Dam and Lock, which is also being monitored due to rising water levels. Residents in the impacted area are being asked to leave their homes and travel south of Cheboygan. They should also leave a towel or some fabric on their door handle that is visible from the road, and anyone unable to evacuate can call 911 for assistance.

  • The evacuation order was issued on April 14, 2026.

The players

Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that issued the evacuation order.

Cheboygan County Office of Emergency Management

The county agency responsible for coordinating emergency response and issuing evacuation orders.

Cheboygan Dam and Lock

A dam and lock system in Cheboygan that is being monitored due to rising water levels, but is not directly related to the levee breach.

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What’s next

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the status of the levee breach and the evacuation order.

The takeaway

This evacuation order highlights the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and having a plan in place to protect lives and property in the event of an emergency.