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Detroit residents frustrated with city's response to basement floodings

Homeowners say nothing being done about flooding concerns

DETROIT – Some residents are pointing fingers after they said they complained to the city of Detroit about the constant flooding in their basements, but nothing is being done.

The city said residents didn't complain to the right office because the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department didn't receive the calls.

Homeowners said there is damage to their homes due to flooding, and they need help. Local 4 Defender Karen Drew assisted in getting the flooding fiasco fixed.

"My basement has flooded five times," Joyseine Foxhall said. "All I'm asking is the city come out (and) clean these sewers."

Foxhall, 73, lives on American Drive on Detroit's west side. She said it's too hard for her to get downstairs, so her son has recorded and documented the mess for months.

"This was a nice, beautiful, finished basement," Derrick Foxhall said. "Everything had to be gutted. Everything had to be thrown out."

"I have replaced two washers and dryers, two furnaces and two hot water tanks in the past two years, Joyseine Foxhall said.

She said when it rains, her basement floods. She said she complained to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, but nothing has been fixed.

"I need the problem resolved and give me some hope, not an empty bag of promises," Joyseine Foxhall said. "Give me hope here, and I believe I deserve that. I have not abandoned my city."

She is keeping records of her expenses, including the appliances she has had to replace. She said she's spent just over $4,000.

"We don't have that kind of money coming in here," she said. "We're both seniors."

You can hear from more neighbors about the problem in Karen Drew's video posted above.

If you're having a flooding issue you want to report, you can call the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department at 313-267-8000.


About the Authors
Karen Drew headshot

Karen Drew is the anchor of Local 4 News First at 4, weekdays at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. She is also an award-winning investigative reporter.

Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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