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People take action to prevent floods as heavy rains bear down on metro Detroit

Posted at 10:52 PM, Jan 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-11 15:53:35-05

(WXYZ) — “It is a mess,” said Davona Cummings.

She knows from experience that water can do major damage.

“We just recently got new walls,” she says of her family's basement.

Her family just finished repairing damage in their basement from a previous flood in their home, near where workers on Monte Vista Street in Detroit worked to clear storm drains on Friday. Cummings feels some optimism that it won’t happen again as she watches them work to prevent back ups on their street, and in extreme cases into homes.

“They are working twelve-hour shifts today and through the weekend,” said Bryan Peckinpaugh, of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

The department says if you see any flooding on streets you should report it, so your public works department can check the drains before it gets worse.

“Check your basement periodically for that back up,” wants Jeff Horton, the owner of Horton Plumbing in Plymouth.

Horton says it is a good idea to make sure your sump pump is working before a heavy rain. If your sump pump is more than five-years-old, be aware, it may be a good idea to replace it before it fails. He says it is also a good idea to have a backup battery powered pump, in case there should be a power outage.

“For a basement that is nicely finished, it is one of the best investments you can make,” said Horton.