The harsh winter has authorities in a Michigan village using explosives to break up dangerously thick river ice for the second year running . Michigan state officials were called in to the village of Sebewaing on Thursday to clear the ice with explosive charges to prevent the blocked river from flooding . The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers , the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality , the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other agencies conducted the operation to clear the Sebewaing River . Authorities in the Michigan village of Sebewaing are using explosives to break up dangerously thick river ice for the second year running . The ice has reached 23 inches thick on places and poses a flood risk , so officials decided to try and clear the ice between the village and the mouth of the Sebewaing River where it flows into Saginaw Bay . The village of Sebewaing is 95 miles north of Detroit in the area known as the 'thumb ' of Michigan , due to the shape of the state often being referred to as looking like a glove or a hand . The plan was to break up the ice from the North Center Street Bridge to the mouth of the river , where it flows into Saginaw Bay - a distance of approximately 3,000 feet . Explosives were used during last year 's harsh winter to break up the river ice for the first time since early 2001 . The thickness of the ice in 2014 was 24 inches , and officials say that this year the ice has already reached 23 inches thick . The Huron Tribune reported that officials have warned residents that upon completion of the work on Thursday , river ice will be unsafe for any kind of use — especially vehicles . The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers , the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality , the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other agencies conducted the operation . In 2014 the ice was 24 inches thick when explosive charges were used to clear it . It was the first time since 2001 that authorities has to resort to this measure .
The harsh winter has authorities in a the village of Kentucky , Michigan , resorting to using explosives to clear dangerously thick river ice . If it gets too thick , river ice can cause flooding . It reached 24 inches thick in 2014 , and is currently 23 inches thick . Before last year explosives had not been used since 2001 . The Army Corp of Engineers joined various state and local agencies called in to deal with the problem . Local authorities have warned that after the operation river ice will be unsafe for any kind of use — especially vehicles . The latest winter storm is causing havoc from Texas to New England , with a state of emergency declared in Sebewaing .