'That's Terrifying': Detroit Flooded by Icy Water – What Happened

Before dawn, icy water surged through a Southwest Detroit neighborhood after a massive water main burst. Officials later shared details on the cause and recovery.

The 54-inch Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) main reportedly burst around 4 a.m. on February 17, sending freezing water through streets and into homes. Netizens quickly reacted online, sharing their thoughts on the situation.

According to ABC News, more than 75 people needed rescue as residents were trapped. Aerial images captured the aftermath of the flooding in Southwest Detroit.

From above, streets appear coated in ice, with partially submerged cars and debris scattered across the frozen ground. Bare trees line the icy roads, while sidewalks and driveways blend into the frozen landscape, making it hard to distinguish between streets and yards.

On the ground, one resident shared what it looked like in their backyard on TikTok, where a thick layer of ice covered the entire area. The frozen surface stretched across the yard, encasing outdoor furniture, a trampoline, and nearby plants.

The TikToker also shared what it looked like in front of their house, showing streets and sidewalks completely frozen. Cars were partially submerged in thick ice, while front yards and driveways blended into the icy landscape.

Fences, trees, and plants were trapped beneath layers of ice, highlighting the extent of the flooding and the challenges residents now face.The flooding drew strong reactions online, as residents shared their concerns and frustrations. One user expressed disbelief, saying, "This is crazy. Just crazy."

Another highlighted the seriousness of the situation, "That's terrifying! Over 75 people needing rescue is a huge ordeal." Meanwhile, a resident directly impacted by the flooding shared their struggle, "It's a mess here I can't get out." Someone else shared, "3 fts of black ice[sic]."

One netizen expressed sympathy for those affected and gratitude toward the rescue teams helping in the crisis. Another reacted to the severity of the situation, while someone else voiced concern about the freezing water turning to ice and the animals left behind.

A different user compared the scene to a disaster movie, "The Day After Tomorrow," urging everyone to stay safe. Others shared their concern about the extreme cold and its impact on residents.

In response to the growing concerns, city officials provided updates on the situation. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan confirmed that the flooding impacted homes across several blocks, stretching from Lafayette to Waterman and Green to Beard streets. GLWA crews were notified shortly after the rupture and quickly arrived on-site.

Duggan added that one valve was shut off and a second was nearly closed, leading to a gradual decrease in water levels. Emergency services focused on evacuating residents in danger, as freezing temperatures worsened conditions and made rescues more challenging.

He urged residents needing evacuation to call for help. "Our concern right now is for the safety of the people in this neighborhood...If you want to be removed from the house, dial 911. Fire rescue crews will be out immediately," he said.

As emergency crews continued their response, officials also shifted focus to recovery efforts.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Director Gary Brown later provided an update on the ongoing work. He reported that most of the 6-inch water main damaged during the rupture had been restored, though four houses on Beard Street remained without service and were provided with bottled water.

"We also gave them a notice that for the next two weeks, at those 50 houses only, they need to be under a boil water alert as a precautionary measure," Brown said. He explained that this is standard procedure when a service line is brought back online, with water quality testing conducted twice over 48 hours to ensure safety.

Brown confirmed that the flooding impacted 400 homes. "We're working with we know that we've already been inside as of yesterday and that work has continued on today," he added.

While Southwest Detroit battled icy floodwaters, eight states across the U.S. were hit by widespread flooding, severe storms, and power outages, as reported on February 18.

More than 140 million Americans were under weather alerts as high winds, freezing temperatures, and relentless rainfall battered the country, leaving a trail of destruction.

Tens of thousands were left without power, while at least 13 people lost their lives due to the severe conditions. Officials reported 12 storm-related deaths in Kentucky and one in Georgia.

Kentucky faced some of the worst impacts, with Governor Andy Beshear describing the situation as "massive" and "one of the most serious weather events we've dealt with in at least a decade."

Heavy rainfall led to flash floods that forced evacuations and submerged entire neighborhoods. Roads were rendered impassable, and rising water levels turned streets into rivers.

In some areas, more than seven inches of rain fell within a short period, overwhelming drainage systems and washing away homes and businesses.

Emergency responders conducted more than 1,000 rescues across Kentucky alone. Nineteen swift-water rescue teams were deployed, and National Guard soldiers were dispatched to assist in relief efforts.

According to reports, two nursing homes had to be evacuated, including one where 100 patients were safely moved by state police. Flooding around Panbowl Lake in Jackson forced another nursing home and a hospital to relocate patients as a precaution.

Landslides and road closures created additional challenges, with more than 300 state and federal roads blocked due to flood and storm damage.

At the peak of the disaster, over 433,000 utility customers across Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee were left without electricity.

The extreme weather also affected Tennessee, where Clarksville saw close to four inches of rain in a short span, causing "alarming scenes of flash flooding," according to Mayor Joe Pitts.

In Macon County, more than 50 nursing home residents were moved to safety as rising waters threatened their facility. West Virginia and southwestern Virginia also faced significant flooding, prompting evacuations.

The National Weather Service called the situation in some counties "extremely dangerous and life-threatening." In Richlands, Virginia, authorities urged residents to leave their homes as floodwaters surged.

Virginia's lieutenant governor confirmed that National Guard soldiers were deployed to assist in recovery efforts. In West Virginia, Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in ten counties as the Bluestone River flooded parts of Spanishburg.

Video footage showed entire streets underwater in Hurley, Virginia, as torrents of water rushed down from nearby hills and mountains.

"[...] All those hills and the mountains close by, that's where all of that water is coming from, and that's how those scenes can happen so quickly. But it takes time for the majority of that water to make it down — to trickle its way down out of the higher elevations to the valley," FOX Weather reported.

"Terrible and horrific seeing this! I hope help is in progress for all the suffering people in harms way!" one social media user shared. "This is heartbreaking," another wrote.

A third person added, "I pray for stability and save [sic] haven for everyone," while a fourth typed, "Such a tragedy for an area already dealing with so much!"

However, the damage extended beyond flooding. With the storms came powerful winds and the looming threat of tornadoes. Georgia residents were warned to remain alert as the risk of tornadoes persisted.

In Richmond, Virginia, sections of the Capital Trail and Dock Street were shut down due to flooding. Officials warned that even after waters receded, roads and pathways would remain hazardous due to mud and debris.

The city activated floodwalls and closed roads as a precaution, reopening them only when conditions allowed. For many residents, the disaster felt all too familiar.

Kentucky, in particular, was still recovering from historic flooding in 2022 that killed 43 people and destroyed entire communities. Danny Laferty, a Knott County resident, expressed his fears of reliving the same nightmare.

"It was awful, terrible. I mean we had mud six inches deep in here," he recalled. Still working to rebuild his flood-damaged home, he worried that history was repeating itself. "That's what makes me so nervous. I don't understand floods getting this high," Laferty added.

As the storm moved out, attention shifted to recovery. Federal and state agencies mobilized aid, with President Donald Trump signing an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky to unlock federal relief funds.

FEMA and Homeland Security officials coordinated efforts to provide immediate assistance. Despite the ongoing rescue operations, tens of thousands remained without power and clean water. Some residents were advised to boil their water before drinking due to contamination concerns.

Meanwhile, other parts of the country faced their own weather challenges. Snow and sleet blanketed the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, with Vermont recording 8.5 inches of snow and New York's Massena region receiving 8.4 inches. High wind alerts were issued across 22 states, affecting over 80 million people.

A deep Arctic freeze pushed southward, plunging temperatures across the Great Plains and even reaching Texas. By Tuesday, sub-zero wind chills were expected in 24 states, with North Dakota and Minnesota bracing for lows as extreme as minus 30 degrees.

As communities surveyed the damage, the lasting effects became clear. Homes and businesses lay in ruins, infrastructure suffered severe damage, and thousands of people faced uncertainty about what came next.

The flooding, combined with freezing temperatures and high winds, highlighted the increasing severity of extreme weather.

The widespread destruction underscores the growing severity of extreme weather events, raising concerns about preparedness and response. For now, recovery efforts continue, but for many, the fear of another disaster remains ever-present.