A dangerous combination of record-breaking snowpack and relentless rain has pushed the Great Lakes region into a high-stakes flooding emergency.

The FOX Forecast Center warns that as heavy rain falls on frozen ground and rapidly melting snow, local rivers across Wisconsin and Michigan are expected to surge into major flood stage, with several locations forecast to shatter all-time record crests through Wednesday.

The atmospheric setup is fueled by a moisture pump off the Southeast coast that is funneling an endless stream of Gulf moisture directly into the Upper Midwest. This has created a perfect storm for flooding, particularly in cities like Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Traverse City.

In Marquette, where a historic 273 inches of snow has fallen this season, the sudden transition to warmer temperatures is aggressively melting the snowpack. When combined with forecasted rain of 2 to 3 inches, the resulting runoff has nowhere to go but into already swollen waterways.

The impact on regional rivers is expected to be historic:

• Menominee River: Forecast to peak at 16.5 feet at Niagara and 20 feet near McAllister, both of which would surpass previous all-time records.

• Manistee River: Expected to crest at 17.8 feet near Sherman, Michigan, well above its 16.9-foot record.

Flood Watches remain in effect across northern Michigan through Wednesday morning. However, the danger likely won’t end then; with high soil saturation levels across the Plains and another round of rain expected later this week, officials warn that flash flooding risks could be prolonged well into the weekend.

Residents in these flood-prone areas should monitor river gauges closely and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.