DETROIT (WWJ) — Cleanup efforts are ongoing in Southwest Detroit, a day after a 90-year-old water line ruptured, causing massive flooding and requiring dozens of people to be rescued from their homes.
Gary Brown, Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department told reporters Tuesday it will likely take 7-to-10 days to repair the 54-inch Great Lakes Water Authority line, which ruptured near Beard and Rowan Streets — in the area of Livernois, between West Vernor and I-75 — early Monday morning.
The rupture left upwards of four feet of icy water covering much of the neighborhood’s streets, sidewalks and yards. Officials estimate 150-200 homes also had water in their basements.
In total, officials said 54 adults, 22 children and a dozen pets were rescued from homes on Monday.
The city has brought in three pumps to expedite water removal and once cleared, excavation will begin, allowing crews to get a better look at the broken steel pipe.
While the water has largely receded, the mess remains in place and residents are figuring out what comes next. Dozens of families have accepted an offer from the city to stay in temporary housing at Sonesta Extended Stay Suites while the cleanup continues.
“You can stay in that hotel until your water, your power, your heat are back on,” Duggan said. “And we will support you in that process.”
The Sonesta Simply Suites is pet friendly. However, if a resident has a dog too large to stay at the hotel, the Detroit Shelter agreed to house that dog until the resident can return to their home. The City of Detroit also will provide food to displaced residents, Duggan said.
WWJ Newsradio 950’s Jon Hewett on Tuesday spoke to Jesus Almanza, a resident who applauded the city’s efforts to clean up and help residents. He said he worked on his own for several hours on Monday to stay ahead of water that was coming into his home.
Now, on Tuesday, he says there’s no water, “only a lot of ice.”
The sidewalks in the neighborhood remain covered in ice, though the roads are largely cleared, according to Hewett.
GLWA officials are expected to provide an update on repairs at some point Tuesday afternoon.
Anyone living in a home that was damaged by the flooding and who may need a place to stay can call 313-774-5261.
Residents will forgo the FEMA process to seek compensations for the damage.
“This was a failure of the water main, and the DWSD and GLWA are going to repair the damage and pay for your loss as a result of this,” Duggan said. “…Your uninsured damage will be split 50/50 between GWLA and DWSD.”
Anyone who wants to make a claim should also call the above number.
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for continuing coverage of the water main break. >>> LISTEN LIVE!