michigan flooding
© Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland SecurityMichigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security surveyed flooding in Metro Detroit following storms on Aug. 11, 2014
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has declared parts of southeast Michigan a "disaster area" after this week's widespread flooding.

Gov. Snyder declared an official state of emergency for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties on Wednesday following calls for help from the flooded counties, Michigan Radio reported.

"The flooding that continues to impact Southeastern Michigan is a disaster in every sense of the word. As local and state authorities work around the clock to deal with this situation, it is clear that the significant personal property and infrastructure damage, coupled with ongoing threats to public safety, warrants this state declaration," Snyder said in a statement Wednesday. "By taking this action, the state can fully coordinate and maximize efforts to support its local partners."

Snyder suspended a week-long tour of the Upper Peninsula and flew to Metro Detroit to survey the massive flooding from Monday night that has caused numerous road closures.

Earlier on Wednesday, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Wayne County had requested an emergency declaration and help for debris removal, repair of damages, over-time costs for first responders, and funding assistance related to all noninsured public and private properties.

A representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been sent to Detroit to assess the damage from the 6 inches of rain that swamped freeways, flooded basements and brought some businesses to a halt.

"This was simply a record event of rain," Snyder said.

Detroit received 4.57 inches of rainfall on Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service, the highest single-day total since 1925.

The cities of Warren, Royal Oak and Ferndale also have declared emergencies in their communities in order to activate their emergency plans.