SOUTHWEST DETROIT (WXYZ) — Mayor Mike Duggan says that restoration efforts in southwest Detroit, more than a month after flooding affected 150 to 200 homes, is nearly complete.
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Back in February, a massive 54-inch water main break flooded the streets with several feet of water. DWSD has been working on restoring the area for weeks now.
In a press conference with the Detroit Water & Sewage Department and affected residents on Thursday morning, Duggan said that more than 90 percent of homes affected are completed, with 15 families still living in hotels.
Deanna Dooley, one of the residents who is back home now, said nearly everything for her has been addressed.
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"Not only did they take care of the problems we already have, they're already working on problems we may have in the future, if that makes sense. So I'm very appreciative, very appreciative," said Dooley.
She said most of her neighbors told her they are happy with the city response.
"You're always gonna have one or two that, you know, isn't, but it's OK ... in general, we're all doing all right," he said.
Duggan stressed that the city was not alone in these efforts, saying that the community came together.
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"The only way this response happened is because trusted groups intervened," he said, thanking the people who dropped everything to help.
Per Duggan, the city has replaced 125 furnaces and 126 water heaters. The mayor mentioned that "fewer than five of each" need to be replaced, but those homes require more work in general.
The phone number that affected residents were supposed to call for aid (877-313-6164) will be shut down on Monday once the remaining homes are done.
Duggan said that the next stage in this process is claims, with affected residents informing the city of items lost or damaged in the flooding, including dryers, washers and personal belongings.
The mayor said that claims need to be filed by April 1, 45 days after the initial flooding. He said that 378 claims have already been filed, with the city already following up on 75 of those.
"If we stay at that pace, it's a 45-60 day process," said Gary Brown, the Director of the Board of Water Commissioners, who has been leading restoration efforts. "We're going to be very liberal in approving these claims."
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