Recovery efforts, donations continue after water main break
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Work around the site of the pipeline break in southwest Detroit. Photo: Courtesy of GLWA
More than 80 inspectors are going house-to-house in southwest Detroit to start the home repair process after Monday's disastrous water main break affected 400 homes.
Why it matters: The pipeline bursting is the latest painful incident in a city with a long history of infrastructure problems.
Catch up quick: A 54-inch steel water transmission main burst at Beard and Rowan streets, resulting in extreme flooding amid freezing temperatures.
Threat level: A line this big breaking in a densely populated area is extremely rare, according to water department director Gary Brown.
- Many basements flooded and cars were submerged up to their wheels or windows, while nearly half of the homes lost heat and nearly 100 residents were evacuated, including by boats and rafts.
State of play: As of Tuesday afternoon, 300 households have contacted the city for assistance, Mayor Mike Duggan said during a news conference.
Between the lines: Crews were pumping out water Tuesday, though the break is under control and no longer spewing water, according to Brown and the Great Lakes Water Authority.
- It could take up to 10 days to repair, Brown told City Council Tuesday.
- Once water is cleared, crews can excavate the site to assess the damage and later determine a cause.
- Detroit's water department and the GLWA plan to split costs for residents' damage and losses not covered by insurance.
Those impacted can call 313-774-5261 to begin the claims process, get free meals and hotel rooms while displaced, and schedule a damage inspection.
What's next: Homeowners need to allow door-to-door building inspections before emergency contractors and city workers can start making repairs, like pumping flooded basements, cleaning out and sanitizing, and replacing furnaces or hot water tanks, per Brown and Duggan.
Friction point: City Council member Coleman Young II called the large break "unacceptable" and questioned how it could have occurred given the city's water infrastructure investments.
- Brown answered that $1 billion is being spent improving Detroit's vast, 100-year-old water system and lines are prioritized based on age, soil composition and other factors.
- "We've come a long way in identifying lines, we've done the repairs before breaks take place, but there will be other water main breaks," Brown said.
Zoom out: Flooding, pipeline and infrastructure failures are far from new in Detroit. The east side and other areas on the west side have been prone to destructive flooding for decades, including historic flooding in 2021 caused by heavy rain combined with an aging stormwater and sewer system.
Also during City Council's meeting Tuesday, Young asked about some residents in the area with a high immigrant population who could be hesitant to seek help, given worries about ICE crackdowns.
- "The Detroit Police Department is not in the business of immigration and we never will be … Yesterday we were not looking for anything but trying to save people's lives," assistant chief Charles Fitzgerald said.
Donations still needed
Community leaders are jumping in to help those struggling with basic necessities and waterlogged homes amid single-digit nighttime temperatures and extreme wind chill.
What they're saying: Denisse López of southwest cafe and creative space Vámonos tells Axios she posted on social media offering free food early Monday, and from there her efforts snowballed. She and cafe employees are helping collect donations and take them to respite centers.
- López says she's been surprised by how many people walk in asking her how they can help — from individuals to restaurants bringing trays of tacos.
- "It was overwhelming, but in a beautiful way," she says. "People just started coming to me asking … 'What do you need, how do I volunteer?'"
- Vámonos is also offering free food and respite for those affected and volunteers at 4444 Vernor Hwy.
Context: Donations are pouring in, but some items are still highly needed, including bottled water, toiletries, cleaning supplies, garbage bags and winter coats, López says.
The following sites are accepting donations and offering assistance:
- Donate at all hours to Patton Rec Center, 2301 Woodmere St.
- Detroit Hispanic Development Corp. is taking donations and is in need of pet supplies, dry goods, toiletries, sanitary products and diapers at 1211 Trumbull St.
- St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 1950 Trumbull St. is offering showers and laundry facilities Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7:30am-11am. It is also offering food.
- Santos Church at 1953 Military St. is offering water, food, blankets, clothes and other supplies. It is still taking donations and giving out hot meals each day this week at 5pm.