Metro Detroit residents have asked to remove valuables from basements as area braces for heavy rain

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority is bracing for heavy rains and flooding in the coming days.

“This is a significant amount of rain. It’s expected six and a half inches over the next three days, ”said Suzanne Coffey, interim CEO of GLWA.

Coffey said rain is coming and there will more than likely be flooding over the next few days.

Coffey thinks GLWA is prepared to add, “We have our Conner Creek pumping station fully ready, staffed, ready to troubleshoot if necessary. ”

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Coffey said given the complexity of the system’s operations and the fact that the pumps can only be turned on during a storm, troubleshooting can only happen in real time.

“Our Freud pump station is the station we call our energy suppliers, they work with us. In addition to the energy suppliers we have, contractors and consultants are there to help us so that we can not only fix issues if we need to, but also diagnose some of the electricity related issues we are having. over there, ”Coffey said.

They are also asking residents of those flooded areas, especially on the east side of Detroit, to clean up their basements before the storm and flooding.

Coffet added, “I suggest you make sure your valuables are out of the basement. Your pets, yourself are out of the basement.

“Anytime we have a rain or an impending rain event. We’re all on pins and needles, ”said Robert Tucker.

And that’s the case for Tucker. He lives in Hillcrest in eastern Detroit. His basement was flooded several times during the summer. He said the worst flooding occurred in June.

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“We are apt to be tired. We don’t know what to do, ”Tucker said.

But the Great Lakes Water Authority is telling him and everyone in the flooded areas to clean their basements in anticipation of the rain to come over the next few days.

“They tell us to get our things out of the basement. You tell me you’re poorly equipped and you’re not doing your job, ”Tucker said.

“Yes, it was tough. It was really hard. It was very frustrating and I was very angry, ”said Charles Smith.

Smith is in the same boat. He also lives in eastern Detroit. Her basement was also flooded, but the last time was personal. His wife died in October 2020. He lost his most valuable items in the flood.

“All of our photos have been destroyed. I have no memory of my marriage, of my children who have grown up. It was almost as bad, my house might as well burn down, ”he said.

And now he’s gearing up for another fight with Mother Nature. He hopes for the best but expects the worst. He just wants something done about the flooding in Detroit.

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“If they have to bring in the experts to teach them what they don’t know, do whatever it takes, but what they did doesn’t work,” Smith said.

Watch More: Detroit Homeowners Prepare for Flood Threat

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