Recovery and Repairs Underway from the Devastating Water Main Break in Southwest Detroit

The recovery from this past Monday’s historic flash flood in Southwest Detroit has begun and will likely extend for weeks for many of the hundreds of residents who have been affected. Residents were awakened early morning hours of Monday, February 17^th when a large 54” water main failed and spewed millions of gallons of water into the streets and flooded basements across a square mile area of Southwest Detroit from W. Lafayette (south) to Chatfield (north), Lewerenz (east) to Solvay (west). The break was centered at a 40’ long segment of the transmission pipe at Beard and Rowan.

Residents impacted by the water main break can call 313-774-5261 to be connected to

emergency resource through the City of Detroit.

As of Tuesday afternoon when EL CENTRAL went to press, Mayor Mike Duggan and City officials shared the following points:

Rescued: 63 adults, 31 children and 13 pets
398 houses have been affected, 83 families of which are in the extended stay hotel provided by the City (296 individuals).
Approximately 60 percent of the families were able to return to their homes while 20 percent stayed with family or friends and the remaining 20 percent were moved into nearby hotels.
196 basements were flooded, 174 houses had no heat and 72 houses were without power. NOTE: It is our hope and prayer that by the time you read this, power and heat have been restored to the majority of the homes affected.

The City has outlined a two-step recovery process going forward:

City inspectors will complete an assessment of the interior damage of all affected homes this week,
Emergency repair and sanitation contracts will be put in place for all the affected homes beginning as soon as next week.

The goal is to complete all necessary repairs and system replacements within the next six weeks.

Residents should reach out to the following number for assistance: 313-774-5261. This hotline will operate 24/7 for the foreseeable future. Callers may inquire about temporary housing, clothing and food and assistance with filing claims.

Emergency Resources: Patton Recreation Center is open as a resource center, providing food distribution and transportation via DDOT buses. Extended stay hotel accommodations are available for residents who choose to utilize them. Patton Recreation Center: 2301 Woodmere, 313-628-2000, Open 24/7 through Friday and thereafter regular hours Mon-Fri, 8am to 8pm; Closed Sat and Sun – but weekend hours may be extended under the circumstances.

Mayor Duggan stressed that residents should file claims with their private homeowner’s insurance companies first and the City of Detroit and Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) will split the costs of reimbursing residents for any uncovered damages.

For local assistance and to drop off donations at community organizations in Southwest Detroit:

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, 8300 Longworth, Detroit, MI 48209. Bilingual staff are available to respond to calls at 313-841-4447 – Se habla Español
Detroit Hispanic Development Corp., 1211 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216. Bilingual staff are available to respond to calls at 313-967-4880. Se habla Español
Santos Church1953 Military St, Detroit, MI 48209
Detroiters Helping Each Other, 2501 Pearl St., Detroit, MI 48209
SER Metro-Detroit, 9301 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48210
Southwest Detroit Business Association, 7752 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
Congress of Communities, 4870 St. Hedwig St., Detroit, MI 48210

Donations of clothing, coats, blankets and linens, toiletries, soap, toys, pet foods, air mattresses and non-perishable foods are needed as well as Spanish-speaking volunteers.

Urban Neighborhoods Initiative is accepting tax deductible monetary donations on behalf of the coalition of the assistance organizations listed above. Call 313-841-4447 for more information.

Please be generous with your support!