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.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:27:33 GMT
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:17 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:17:03 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:19:36 GMT
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:47:05 GMT
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:33 GMT
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:03 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:03:36 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
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.