Cleanup continues for SW Detroit flood victims of water main break, repairs start Monday

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Thursday marked day four of clean up efforts after the massive water main break in Southwest Detroit.

A total of 400 homes were damaged as a result - but at Patton Recreation Center the support for those effected was on display with a scene of generosity with donations.

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City leaders are making progress with cleanup.

"We have just secured the furnaces and the hot water heaters from some of the contractors and the companies will be on site Monday," Duggan said. "And everybody knows they are entitled to stay at the hotel where they will be housed and fed until they have power on, hot water and heat - and the water out of the basement."

They are estimating that the soonest some families will be able to return to their homes is the end of next week. Others may have to wait a total of five to six weeks by the time this is all complete.

"It took me a little but longer than most of the people around here to get the water out - I still have about a half an inch of muck," said resident Michael Muzzy.  "I got baseball cards that are old just gone now at one time but the greatest one that I had, was a signed by Alan Trammel gone."

While crews work at the site of the break - families are cleaning up basements.

"The water got to about this high, the stairs were completely covered, the walls," said Jocelin Sevilla. "We’ve been trying to save what we can our clothes - most clothes are gone since we kept it here."

So many valuables destroyed - it’s a difficult thing to go through.

"The worst part is probably not being home - having to go live somewhere else for a little bit - really isn’t home," Sevilla said.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan toured the temporary donation center on Woodmere Street in Southwest Detroit.

"As I came in, a senior citizen had a plastic bag of some cans and said it was all he was able to donate but he wanted to come and provide it to the people," Duggan said.

What you can do:

The donation center is open 24 hours a day for drop-offs and pickups.

If you would like to donate at Patton Community Center - or if you are impacted by the water main break and need to pick up supplies, is located at 2301 Woodmere Street just north of Vernor. 

"Anything from clothes, pet food for their family, diapers all types of toiletries," said Crystal Perkins, director of General Services, Detroit.

Officials are trying to make it as convenient as possible for those who need help.

"We’re actually going to set up a health van next to the Roberto Clemente Rec Center tomorrow in the neighborhood so folks don’t have to come quite this far," Duggan said.

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