Vehicles trapped in frozen flood after water line break in Detroit

A startling scene unfolded in Detroit as a major water main burst and submerged streets under five feet of water amid freezing temperatures. The deluge turned to ice, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents.

The incident occurred on Monday when a 54-inch (1.4-meter) steel water transmission line, built in 1930, ruptured in southwest Detroit. The sudden flood sent torrents of water into the streets, causing panic among residents as emergency teams declared 400 homes in high-risk zones.

Videos circulating on social media showed vehicles stranded in frozen floodwaters before the water eventually drained. Authorities reported that at least 190 homes had flooded basements, 72 households lost electricity, and 174 homes were left without heating.

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Efforts to repair the damaged pipeline are underway, but officials estimated that restoring the water main will take at least two weeks.

A 12-foot section of the pipe will be replaced to restore the water supply. The pipeline originally carried water from Detroit River pumping stations to communities through smaller pipes leading to homes.

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Displaced residents expressed concerns about the condition of their homes, as many were forced to leave in a hurry while floodwaters continued to rise.

“I went down there when the water was still not too high,” a resident told the Associated Press. “I tried to put things on tables, but the water was so much that everything just got knocked over. It was coming in from the drains really fast.”

Detroit Water & Sewerage Department director Gary Brown told the media that evacuated residents may have to wait up to six weeks before they can return home.

Durin the flooding, two children living in a family vehicle froze to death as temperatures plummeted.