In April 2026, Michigan and parts of Wisconsin experienced historic flooding, with nearly half of Michigan's counties declaring a state of emergency. The flooding, caused by heavy rainfall on top of significant snow accumulation, has overwhelmed aging infrastructure, particularly dams, leading to evacuations in affected areas. In Cheboygan, Michigan, emergency pumps were deployed to relieve pressure on a century-old dam that was nearly breached. This event underscores the increasing flood risks associated with climate change, as warmer winters lead to more rain-on-snow events and higher overall precipitation levels. The Great Lakes region is already experiencing more intense storms, and experts predict that future flooding events will be more severe. Michigan's aging inventory of 2,600 dams poses a significant challenge, as many were built over a century ago and are not designed to handle current water volumes. Following past dam failures, state officials have been urged to improve infrastructure, but progress has been slow. As climate change continues to escalate, communities must prioritize adaptive measures to safeguard their infrastructure against future flooding risks.