June 26th Basement Flooding Event
I am angry about the grief our residents are facing and I want to help. Scroll to learn more, as well as access resources if you are still dealing with this tragedy.
UPDATE: July 15, 2021
We now qualify for FEMA assistance.
President Biden declared a disaster for the devastating flood/storm drain event that occurred June 25-26. That is in half the time of the August 2014 declaration!
This will open vital resources to Detroiters who need help recovering from this tragedy. Here’s what you need to do:
If you have already completed the DWSD claim form online or by mail, you MUST ALSO make a claim with FEMA.
You can call (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or fill out your claim online.
Anyone with flood damage should continue to remove debris and discard it to the curb for DPW bulk pickup. FEMA provides reimbursement, there is no cost to you. It is important to get any water damage clean and sanitized, as well as keeping all photos and receipts in the process.
What happened?
Many District 4 residents' basements flooded two weeks ago. People lost valuable items and keepsake treasures that money can’t replace. In addition, some of us have to replace big-ticket items like furnaces, hot water heaters, laundry machines, and furniture. I am saddened and heartbroken by the amount of devastation I have surveyed around the district. We will get through this like we always do, but more importantly, right now we need to help our neighbors, then we need to understand how and why it happened and what can be done to prevent this in the future.
Here’s my response.
Immediately called the Water Department to see what are the next steps and get that information to residents.
Organized my mentees to help clean out seniors' basements.
Began drafting a plan to address these issues in the future.
A big thanks to the youth in our Caught Up mentoring program for getting out there quickly and volunteering many hours to help our neighbors who needed it most.
File a claim now!
Property owners can file claims for health and property damage from flooding within 45 days from the date of the incident to file their claim with the city. Tap the button below to start your claim. If you need help filling out this form, call 313-267-8000 for assistance.
Resources and Help.
This section will be updated as we receive more information. Currently the city is in the process of working with FEMA to determine if this situation qualifies as a FEMA disaster. Until then, make your claims with DWSD who will then turn it over to FEMA if this qualifies, and stay tuned for updates.
Seniors and people with disabilities
Volunteers and City of Detroit employees will help senior or disabled residents who need assistance clearing flood-damaged materials from their home. Residents should indicate if they are seniors or persons with a disability at detroitmi.gov/waterdamageclaims or when calling DWSD at 313-267-8000.
Help is available from United Way and Red Cross
Metro Detroiters who need assistance can call the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s 2-1-1 hotline for food, shelter, and help cleaning up.
The Red Cross has been providing cleanup assistance to the metro Detroit area. Those affected who have not been assisted yet can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go directly to the Red Cross shelters in Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Safety information and procedures
Flooding can create many dangerous situations, and how you approach this problem is very important. WXYZ Channel 7 Detroit has a comprehensive guide you can follow to make sure you are taking the right steps in the right order.
Important steps to take now!
Make sure you do the following:
TAKE PHOTOS
Document everything. Take pictures of the damage and keep a record of all the items that were destroyed during this flooding event.
INSURANCE?
Check with your homeowners or renters insurance provider to see if you have coverage for this event. Be sure to state clearly that this was a sewer backup issue as opposed to a general flooding issue. Most policies require extra coverage or riders for flood insurance, some also separate coverage for sewer/storm drain incidents.
NO INSURANCE?
Make a claim with DSWD. If this becomes a FEMA site, then your information will be transferred, so do not wait and make your claim right now before the August 10th Deadline! Start your claim here.
BEGIN REMEDIATION
If you have had severe flooding in your basement, it’s absolutely an unsafe situation so please exercise caution and learn what to do if you are unsure! For example, if your basement has had standing water for 48 hours, then you have a mold issue that will need remediation.
Renters have rights too!
Many of the above resources only assist homeowners. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous landlords who neglect their properties, and that leaves tenants with very few options. HOWEVER, there is now a Notice of Emergency Order issued on July 8th, 2021 which REQUIRES landlord compliance with remediation.
This order stipulates that landlords must comply with the following by July 19, 2021. It states:
All Landlords shall, on or before July 19, 2021, complete remediation of basement areas having combined sewer and stormwater resulting from the June 26, 2021 rain event. Specifically, the Landlord shall be responsible for the following basement repairs as applicable:
1. There shall be no standing water and drains must be cleared from debris. (Sec. 8-15-438)
2. It shall be cleaned and sanitized. (Sec. 8-15-303)
3. It shall have a functional hot water tank and furnace. (Sec. 8-15-438)
4 . The electrical panel shall be operable. (Sec. 8-15-372)
5. Removal of all trash, damaged items on curb for bulk pick up including drywall, paneling and carpet. (Sec.8-15-101)
If your landlord fails to comply with this order they will receive separate blight violations for EACH DAY that the order has not been complied with. The fine is $250 per day. If your landlord isn’t doing what they are supposed to, contact the Property Maintenance division at BSEED who manages residential landlord compliance:
Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED)
Coleman A Young Municipal Center
4th Floor
Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-2733
Other options for assistance with landlord issues:
If you want to help your neighbors, please consider volunteering.
Detroit is looking for volunteers to work four-hour shifts to help neighbors clean up their homes and move debris from the basements of elderly or disabled residents. The city will provide protective gear.
The schedule of volunteer gathering centers will be set later this week for different neighborhoods. To sign up as a volunteer, go to detroitmi.gov.
The United Way for Southeastern Michigan is also in need of volunteers as well as monetary donations. The 211 hotline is open 24 hours per day. People can get trained to help take calls in crisis or help property owners clean up their homes.
Have extra equipment and supplies like a dehumidifier, protective gear and other essential items? Check out your Nextdoor group and mutual aid networks and nonprofits looking for donations.
This information is from WDET.ORG who has a resource page for this incident here.
The big question remains, how do we prevent this from happening again?
Right now we don’t have all the answers, but we need them. The long-term solution to fix the flooding entails a massive upgrade to our combined sewer system. The cost will be in the billions. This is the time to partner with other cities and the Federal government to fix this issue, not slap a bandage on it.
I believe the city should help pay for sump pumps and backflow stoppers/valves in residents' basements. In addition, residents should be reimbursed for their losses immediately!
So how do we protect ourselves in the meantime?
Sump pumps are used to waterproof against groundwater, while backflow stoppers prevent sewer lines from backing up into your residence. Both require breaking concrete in your basement and a licensed plumber to install. Researching this online reveals mixed thoughts on the efficacy of backflow valves.
I know most of our residents don’t have an extra $1500 sitting around, so I asked my team to research other solutions. There’s a much cheaper option on the market that you can install yourself called a Flood Guard floor drain that promises to stop sewer backup into your home. They cost less than $40. I cannot guarantee this will stop every incident, I’m an educator and mentor, not a plumber! Here’s a link to research these products to see if they are right for you.
Do you have ideas or other information that would help our neighbors?
Please contact me with your thoughts on how we can protect ourselves, or if you have ideas on how we can fix this problem in a more permanent way.