The Warren Sun

Due to significant rain overnight and ground saturation, we are receiving reports from residents across the city experiencing flooding in their basements. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Macomb County. Warren is doing everything we possibly can to address the situation and assist residents.

• Our storm water basins and sewer basins are currently at capacity.
• Our pump station is running at full capacity.
• Our Public Service Director is coordinating a response with the Water and Waste Water Departments.
• We have mobilized the Warren Emergency Response.
• Mayor Stone has been in contact with the Macomb County Public Works Director requesting additional assistance in response to this issue.

Unfortunately, this is a severe rain event that will only be alleviated with time.

If residents are experiencing flooding, please take the following steps.

• Report your address to the Warren Water Department via Q-Alert or by calling (586) 759-9200 or call the Mayor’s Office at (586) 574-4520.
• Fill out this form to request a flood clean-up kit from the Red Cross. 
• Visit RedCross.org for information on Disaster Cleanup & Repair for your home.
• Visit Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for additional information on flood cleanup.

Residents are advised that if there is flooding in homes or in your area, take the following measures to help prevent damage.

Move objects away from the drains in your basement.

Remove valuables from the basement.

Get items up off the floor in the basement.

Put items in  waterproof containers.

If there is a storm drain grate in the street near your home, please check to make sure the grates are clear of debris.

The Warren Fire Department would also like you to keep in mind that water and electricity do not mix.

• If residents or business owners are experiencing flooding in the lower levels / basements of their home or business, they should contact DTE or a licensed electrician to temporarily disconnect / shut off electrical service to the lower levels / basement of their property.
• If there is a history of flooding from heavy rain events and no water is currently present in the lower levels / basement of the property and the resident or business owner is comfortable the resident or business owner should consider turning off the electricity at the panel for the lower levels / basement to eliminate the risk of fire / electrocution.  If not comfortable contact a licensed electrician.
• Additionally, if no flooding is present in the lower levels / basement of a resident or business any device that is connected to an electrical outlet including appliances (freezers, washers, dryers) equipment (treadmills, tv’s, etc. or anything that is powered by electricity (furnaces, electric and gas water heaters) in the flood prone areas of their property should be disconnected from electrical outlets.
• Prior to turning electrical service back on in an area that has experienced flooding a licensed electrician should be contacted to ensure that there is no damage to the electrical system.
• All electrical devices that have been exposed to water should be considered damaged and should be replaced.  This includes appliances, equipment, furnaces, electric and gas water heaters (everything).

Here are some helpful tips from our Water Department for you to follow to help prevent flooding.

• How to Prevent Overflows During a Rain Storm

Original source can be found here.