DETROIT (AP) — Early Monday morning, residents in a Detroit neighborhood were shocked to find their street quickly flooding with water. The situation escalated as a massive amount of water from a broken water transmission main rushed through the area, causing havoc in the tight-knit community a few miles southwest of downtown.
Claudia Ortiz, a resident in the neighborhood, described the scene as resembling a white water rafting river, with water rushing down rapidly. The unexpected disaster left residents like Ortiz frightened and bewildered.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. when a nearly century-old 54-inch steel water main burst, causing water to gush out and flood the surrounding homes. Over 90 people had to be rescued, with some being brought to safety by firefighters in rubber rafts or construction vehicles.
The cause of the burst is still under investigation, with officials pointing to freezing temperatures as a potential factor. Mayor Mike Duggan assured affected residents that they would be provided with accommodations if needed.
Following the incident, efforts were made to address the damage and repair the broken water main. However, the process is expected to take at least two weeks before the water main can be fully operational again.
The community, consisting of nearly 400 homes, faced challenges such as power outages, flooded basements, and lack of heating. Despite the hardships, some residents, like Linda Hoskins, chose to stay in their homes and make do with space heaters while dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
As repair work continues and the neighborhood recovers from the water disaster, residents are encouraged to stay informed and seek assistance as needed.
Detroit Mayor Duggan announced plans to utilize funds from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and the Water Authority to cover the costs of hotel accommodations and meals for displaced residents. Additionally, the allocated funds will be used to address the repair and replacement of uninsured damages to furnaces and water heaters, as well as the clean-up of basements affected by the recent crisis.
Director of the city’s water department, Gary Brown, stated that crews are scheduled to commence the clearance of homes that have not suffered severe damage starting on Thursday. Brown expressed confidence in the swift progress of the operation, noting that the team assigned to the task is experienced and efficient in handling such situations.
Residents like Hoskins are currently facing uncertainties, with her basement still containing puddles of what she describes as sludge. Ortiz, a homeowner who owns a renovation company, has not yet assessed the condition of her belongings stored in the basement, including clothing and power tools. She recounted her attempt to salvage items as the water levels rose rapidly, causing chaos and damage in her basement.
Despite challenges, city officials are actively reaching out to residents like Ortiz and her neighbors, checking in on their well-being and offering assistance. Ortiz, whose homeowner’s insurance excludes coverage for flooding, expressed her intent to accept the city’s support in addressing the aftermath of the crisis, particularly focusing on restoring her heater and recovering whatever is salvageable from the damage.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ortiz shared her feelings of shock and fear, expressing uncertainty and a sense of being overwhelmed by the situation. She acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed gratitude for the assistance offered by the city in navigating the recovery process.
