Water traps two cars on the Lodge Freeway after a water main broke in Detroit. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Deep water covered part of the Lodge Freeway Thursday after a massive water main break. Some motorists drove right into it. Firefighters had to rescue them from their cars.
The good news is crews have stopped the water from flowing. They won't be able to begin repairing the break until morning, but all lanes of the Lodge from Wyoming to the Davison are back open.
Sources with the Detroit Water Department tell FOX 2 they believe a 48 inch water main blew out Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Fenkell and Petoskey on the city's west side.
Incoming seagulls felt at home as the instant rapids raced to the area's lowest points like the Lodge Freeway.
The first thing on the checklist of a broken water main is to close the valves surrounding the break, but finding those valves is not easy.
However, there was some success Thursday night. The valves were located and turned off. The broken main was still bubbling some water, but at least it is not a free flowing flood. They'll have to dig down deep into a giant sink hole to repair the broken main. Right now, it's impossible to tell how long the repair will take, but what is clear is this will be one huge job.
The water department tells FOX 2 that they believe the tap water is safe. They are not posting a boil water alert.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:25 GMT
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:48 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:48:42 GMT
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:25:11 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-09 02:37:53 GMT
A Wayne-Westland firefighter's life has been tragically cut short. Wednesday, 29-year-old Brian Woehlke was killed on the job. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
A Wayne-Westland firefighter's life has been tragically cut short. Wednesday, 29-year-old Brian Woehlke was killed on the job. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Friday, May 3 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-04 02:31:05 GMT
A beloved girls basketball coach at Cody High School is one of the latest victims of deadly gun violence in Detroit. Family, friends and players gathered on Friday to remember Coach Charles Knott.
A beloved girls basketball coach at Cody High School is one of the latest victims of deadly gun violence in Detroit. Family, friends and players gathered on Friday to remember Coach Charles Knott.
Sunday, April 28 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-04-29 01:33:01 GMT
An investigation is underway into Saturday's explosion and fire at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. On Sunday, residents reported a strong "rotten egg" smell in the area.
An investigation is underway into Saturday's explosion and fire at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. On Sunday, crews were re-testing air quality and residents reported a strong "rotten egg" smell following the incident.
Sunday, April 28 2013 12:41 AM EDT2013-04-28 04:41:28 GMT
A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit Saturday. The fire is out, no one hurt, cause under investigation.
A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit Saturday. Fox 2 has learned the fire started in one of the smaller tanks; the fire is out and the cause is being investigated.
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