Popular Michigan Travel Destination Washed Away by Significant Floods

One of the most beloved scenic destinations in the Midwest has been severed by Mother Nature. A significant portion of M-119, the iconic Northern Michigan highway famously known as the Tunnel of Trees, has washed away following a period of intense rain and rapid snowmelt.

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office released a shocking photo on Monday, April 13, showing a stretch of the pavement completely missing near the Lake Michigan shoreline. For travelers and locals who frequent the tight, canopy-covered turns between Good Hart and Cross Village, the damage represents a major blow to the region’s spring tourism season.

The Damage to M-119

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the road is currently closed in both directions between Pike Road and Division Road. This specific area of the Tunnel of Trees is notorious for its narrow lanes and steep bluffs, making repair efforts significantly more complex than a standard road patch.

A section of the Tunnel of Trees in northern Michigan is closed Monday after part of the road washed away. https://t.co/gCgWml0piq

— FOX 2 Detroit (@FOX2News) April 13, 2026

The washout follows a secondary closure on M-119 between Terpening Road and Stutsmanville Road, which was shut down last Friday due to heavy debris blocking the path. Local authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area entirely and seek alternative routes through the inland corridors of Emmet County.

A "Perfect Storm" of Rain and Snowmelt

The disaster is the result of a "perfect storm" of weather events. After a massive winter storm hit Northern Lower Michigan in mid-March, a sudden shift to heavy spring rains has caused an accelerated snowmelt.

The volume of water has pushed the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex to its limits and turned small creeks into raging torrents. The National Weather Service warns that the ground is completely saturated, and with a flood watch remaining in effect through Wednesday morning, further erosion along the shoreline is a distinct possibility.

What This Means for Travelers

For those planning a "Weekend Watch" or a spring road trip to the M-119 corridor, the closure is expected to be long-term. The Tunnel of Trees is a vital artery for the local economy, supporting small businesses in Cross Village and the surrounding shoreline communities.

MDOT has not yet provided a timeline for when the road will be rebuilt, as the current focus remains on stabilizing the remaining shoulder and waiting for water levels to recede.