Water Main Break Leaves Southwest Detroit Residents Stranded

DETROIT, Mich. — Southwest Detroit residents are grappling with the aftermath of a significant 54-inch water main break that flooded their neighborhood on Monday. City crews are actively inspecting homes and addressing icy conditions, but many cars remain immobilized by freezing temperatures.

Michael Muzzey, a local resident, recounted his shock upon discovering his vehicles damaged by the freeze. “The first thing I thought was holy bleep. The second thing I thought was what am I gonna do about the cars?” he said. Muzzey reported that both of his cars, including a brand-new truck, were rendered unusable as water had inundated them, freezing the interiors and causing irreparable damage.

Many in the community face similar obstacles with vehicles stuck in place, which is affecting their daily routines. “There’s several cars on this street that are pretty much out of commission,” Muzzey added. This has left residents struggling to commute to work and meet other needs.

As the situation evolves, city officials are transitioning from emergency assistance to ongoing support for affected households. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan stated at a Tuesday news briefing, “We have shifted from the rescue phase to the service phase, and we are now going house to house.”

The Great Lakes Water Authority has indicated it will require at least two weeks to repair the water main. Meanwhile, officials urge residents to consider filing insurance claims as part of their recovery process. “Filing an insurance claim should be top of mind for residents right now,” said a city spokesperson.

Additionally, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison announced that the police department would tow any stranded vehicles to the 4th Precinct at no cost. “So with that, there’ll be no charge, no fees, everything will be waived. You’ll be able to go to the front lot and retrieve your vehicle,” he explained.

Residents have expressed gratitude for the city’s assistance during this challenging time but are eager for a return to normalcy. To help mitigate transportation issues, the city is offering free Uber rides for impacted residents to and from work and grocery stores. However, these rides must be coordinated through the city by calling the Emergency Hotline at 313-774-5261.