VIDEO - Detroit cars left encased in ice after massive water leak

A catastrophic water main break in Southwest Detroit has left hundreds of families displaced and numerous vehicles immobilized under thick layers of ice.

The incident occurred on February 17, 2025, when a 54-inch transmission main, installed in the 1930s, ruptured, releasing torrents of water into the streets. The flooding affected approximately 400 properties, with water levels reaching up to five feet in some areas.

The sudden deluge prompted emergency responders to evacuate 63 adults and 31 children by boat. The extreme cold, with temperatures plummeting to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, exacerbated the situation, causing the floodwaters to freeze rapidly. This swift freeze encased vehicles in ice, rendering them immobile and leaving streets lined with frozen cars.

Residents like Michael Muzzey awoke to find their vehicles submerged and subsequently frozen in place. "The first thing I thought was holy bleep. The second thing I thought was what am I gonna do about the cars," Muzzey recounted.

City officials, including Mayor Mike Duggan, have mobilized efforts to assist those affected. Approximately 300 residents have been relocated to hotels due to the extensive flooding and loss of heat in their homes. The city and the Great Lakes Water Authority have pledged to cover the costs of damages and are providing services like transportation through Uber at no cost to impacted residents.

Mechanics have advised residents against attempting to start their ice-encased vehicles, warning that doing so could cause further damage. Instead, they recommend allowing professionals to assess and safely thaw the vehicles.

Recovery efforts are underway, with city crews working to clear ice, restore utilities, and repair the damaged water main—a process expected to take at least two weeks.