Michigan Residents Ordered to Evacuate After Levee Breach Near Cheboygan

Flooding threatens low-lying areas as officials work to manage rising water levels.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a flooded rural area with a distant horizon line and dramatic, moody lighting. The scene emphasizes the overwhelming scale of the natural disaster, with any physical structures or objects dwarfed by the expansive, atmospheric environment.The sweeping, sublime landscape captures the overwhelming scale of the natural disaster unfolding in Cheboygan County, as rising floodwaters threaten to engulf the rural community.Cheboygan Today

Residents in parts of Cheboygan County, Michigan have been ordered to evacuate due to a levee breach of the Little Black River Watershed. The county's sheriff's office has requested that people leave their homes and travel south of the City of Cheboygan, as water levels have risen significantly in the area. Authorities have also closed off the US-23 bascule bridge over the Cheboygan River to protect against potential debris damage.

Why it matters

The levee breach and resulting flooding pose a serious threat to public safety in the affected areas. Residents have been advised to evacuate immediately to avoid being trapped by rising waters. Local officials are working to manage the situation and mitigate the damage, but the situation remains dangerous.

The details

The Cheboygan County Office of Emergency Management has requested that residents evacuate low-lying areas near the US-23 shoreline, from Pries Landing south to the Cheboygan River, down to Lincoln Street, back along Court Street, to Levering Road, and Inverness Trail. Water levels at the Cheboygan Lock & Dam Complex have risen more than 6 inches since Monday, though the evacuation order is unrelated to the dam. The Michigan Department of Transportation has closed the US-23 bascule bridge over the Cheboygan River to protect against potential debris damage.

  • On Tuesday afternoon, the Cheboygan County Office of Emergency Management requested residents evacuate low areas due to the levee breach.
  • Water levels at the Cheboygan Lock & Dam Complex rose more than 6 inches between Monday and Tuesday morning.

The players

Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that issued the evacuation order for residents in the affected areas.

Michigan Police Emergency Management & Homeland Security Division (EMHS)

The state agency that provided updates on the rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock & Dam Complex.

Michigan Department of Transportation

The state transportation agency that closed the US-23 bascule bridge over the Cheboygan River to protect against potential debris damage.

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What’s next

Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and provide updates to residents. The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the evacuation order to remain in place.

The takeaway

This levee breach and resulting flooding highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of extreme weather events. The situation in Cheboygan County serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and the critical role that local officials play in keeping their communities safe.