A massive water main break in Southwest Detroit has left streets covered in ice, cars trapped under frozen layers, and hundreds of homes damaged. It all started early Monday near North Green and Beard streets, when a huge pipe burst, sending thousands of gallons of water rushing through the neighborhood. Before crews could stop the flow, the water had already flooded streets, poured into basements, and left entire blocks submerged. Then came the deep freeze. Temperatures dropped, and everything turned to ice.
Frozen Cars, Flooded Homes, and Families Left in the Cold
Residents woke up to a scene straight out of a disaster movie. Basements were full of water, furnaces stopped working, and dozens of cars were completely frozen in place. Officials say at least 400 homes were impacted, with many people losing heat and power at the worst possible time.
“I opened my door and saw my car buried in ice. I thought, how am I even supposed to fix this?”
Some families had no choice but to leave their homes and find shelter. Others stayed, bundling up as their heaters failed. Outside, entire streets looked like a frozen riverbed, with thick ice locking vehicles in place.
Why Did This Happen?
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is still figuring that out, but early signs point to an aging pipe that finally gave out. The main that burst was nearly 100 years old, and freezing temperatures likely made things worse.
What the City Is Doing to Help
Local officials are moving fast to help residents recover:
- Crews are working to break up the ice and restore power to affected homes.
- The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has set up a hotline and online reporting system for people dealing with damage.
- Mayor Mike Duggan says the city and GLWA will cover repair costs for those without insurance.
What’s Next?
For now, Detroiters are left dealing with the mess—wrecked cars, water-damaged homes, and a long road to recovery. The city will eventually clean up, but one thing is clear: if Detroit doesn’t fix its crumbling infrastructure, it’s only a matter of time before this happens again.
