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Rain causes massive problems across metro Detroit

Posted at 6:15 PM, Sep 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-29 18:15:04-04

The rain created several problems for folks in Metro Detroit, from street flooding to basement floods.

For morning commuters, flash floods caused problems on major freeways and busy roads.

The area near Milwaukee Avenue and Grand River looked like an actual river.

An ambulance stuck in the water at Chene Street and Alexander Street on Detroit's east side.

Next to it, a man sat on the hood of a pickup truck surrounded by flooding.

But it wasn't just highways, residential roads left people trapped, like on Mackay Street near 8 Mile.

Denise Davenport said, "It's like a river, if you ask me."

Part of the problem is debris clogging catch basins.

"Been sitting here for a long time," she said. "This isn't the only street. There is a lot of streets like this."

If it wasn't commuting issues, the rain caused problems in many homeowners' basements.

"I saw things floating in the basement," said Deborah Pruitt.

Pruitt has lived in her home for more than 30 years.

Her basement flooded once during the August 2014.

But this year, her basement experience issues three times.

She said, "July, August, September that I had to replace, central air, all that, re-bought, fixed again."

Deborah is a retired teacher and is on a fix income.

She is in contact with the city about her issues.

"Each time they sent someone out to inspect  and each time they said it's the sewer line," she added. "I don't want to move out of Detroit but their services stink."

Residents and business can report street flooding, standing water or sewage backups using the Improve Detroit app or by calling the city at 313-267-7401.

DWSD customers who experience sewage backup are encouraged to file a property damage claim at www.detroitmi.gov/dwsd within 45 days of discovering the incident.