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Online damage report form available for Southwest Detroit “frozen flood” victims
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By Paula Wethington
February 20, 2025 / 8:09 AM EST / CBS Detroit
An online damage report form is available for Detroit residents and property owners who were affected by the massive water main break Monday.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has posted the link on its site.
Before filing such a request, residents must call the department at 313-267-8000 to get a service request number for their claim. The deadline to file is 45 days within the discovery of a problem.
Water flooded streets and basements in the area of Beard and Rowan streets in Southwest Detroit after a 54-inch water transmission line failed early Monday. It was the worst of several water main breaks in the Metro Detroit area in recent weeks; pushing icy water several feet deep in some places.
The replacement of the water main could take about two weeks.
Paula Wethington is a digital producer at CBS Detroit. She previously held digital content roles at NEWSnet, Gannett/USA Today network and The Monroe News in Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
© 2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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DETROIT (FOX 2) – The cause of a massive water main break that flooded about a square mile of Southwest Detroit on Monday is still under investigation.
Hundreds of people woke up Monday to water in their basements and their streets underwater after a main break in the area of N. Green and Rowan streets.
The backstory:
A 54-inch Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) main broke, sending water flowing for blocks. Crews were able to isolate the break and get the flooding under control, but the damage was already done.
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By the numbers:
Around 400 homes were impacted by rhe flooding, with about 190 houses experiencing flooded basements.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 170 homes were without heat and 72 did not have power. At least 300 people have been staying in hotels.
Mayor Mike Duggan said 80 city inspectors will be out, and they hope to have all 400 homes inspected this week.
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He has been out there for the last 48 hours, working for free. “These are echoes of my own family, generations ago,” he said. “And I know the fear and I know the concerns.”
What’s next:
The city arranged for families who cannot stay in their homes due to lack of heat, electricity, or water to stay in a hotel.
Duggan said the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and DWSD will be repairing the damage and paying for any losses not covered by insurance since the flooding was due to an infrastructure failure. This will include replacing damaged appliances and personal belongings.
Residents impacted by the flooding can call the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Emergency Line at 313-774-5261. This line will connect them with resources. Damage can also be reported by using this number.
In the meantime, crews are working to determine the cause of the break.
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Help is available for Southwest Detroit residents impacted by flooding caused by a water main break. The city has arranged housing, transportation, and other resources for flood victims.
Donations are being collected for those impacted.
The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation is collecting blankets, warm clothing, pet supplies, dry goods, and toiletries for flood victims.
Drop off donations at 1211 Trumbull in Detroit.
Donations of clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, and water can also be brought to the Patton and Kemeny rec centers, Detroit City Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero said.
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