Jobaaj Stories
A major water main break in southwest Detroit led to severe flooding, forcing 133 households into hotels while emergency crews worked to fix the damage. The 54-inch steel transmission line, originally built in the 1930s, ruptured on Monday morning, leading to water rescues using rafts and causing significant property damage.
City to Replace Damaged Pipe and Support Affected Residents
Officials have announced that a nearly 12-foot section of the damaged pipe will be replaced. The Great Lakes Water Authority and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department are working to restore the water supply and repair affected homes. The repair work is expected to begin on Monday once contracts with contractors are finalized.
Claim Form Goes Live for Residents
To help residents recover from the disaster, the city has launched a claim form for damages, which is available in both English and Spanish on detroitmi.gov/dwsd. Officials have assured that damages not covered by insurance will be paid for by the agencies involved. Mayor Mike Duggan has advised residents with insurance to file claims immediately and contact 313-774-5261 for urgent needs such as shelter and transportation.
Extent of Damage and Boil Water Advisory
So far, inspections have been conducted on 110 out of 400 impacted homes, with 100 homes confirmed to have basement flooding. Four homes on Beard Street are currently without water service, and 50 others remain under a boil water advisory for at least two days due to a secondary break in a smaller 6-inch line. Bottled water has been distributed to affected residents.
Efforts to Restore Normalcy
Emergency teams are working tirelessly to help residents get back into their homes. Crews are removing ice that has trapped cars in place, while salt has been spread to speed up the process. The damaged section of the main transmission line is expected to arrive within 24 hours, and the restoration is estimated to take at least two weeks.
Community and Corporate Support
Organizations like American Water Resources have stepped in to support recovery efforts, with CEO Aaron Cooper making a generous donation. Cesar Chavez Academy has also offered a warm space for emergency crews, while translation services have been provided to assist non-English-speaking residents.
Timeline for Full Recovery
City officials hope to have all displaced families back in their homes within six weeks. In the meantime, affected residents are urged to utilize the available claim process and assistance programs to ease their recovery.
