Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover the aftermath of a massive water main break, warming centers open around the city and more.

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Water main break floods southwest Detroit

The City of Detroit is providing hotel rooms for people affected by a massive water main break.

The 54-inch pipeline burst early Monday morning in southwest Detroit, flooding many streets and basements, and trapping people in their homes. Detroit Police and Fire rescued 76 people and 12 pets. In some areas, water rose nearly to the tops of cars.

Great Lakes Water Authority CEO Sue Coffey says it took about five hours to isolate the break and shut off the water.

“It’s a tragic situation. We understand that our heart goes out to the people who’ve been impacted by this, and we are committed to partnering with the city as we go through the restoration process.”

Mayor Mike Duggan says the city and the water authority will cover any damage or loss that’s not covered by insurance. Water department employees planned to visit homeowners today to ask if they want to file a claim. Duggan says the city is also offering rides to work for people whose cars were iced in or damaged.

Warming centers available around the city

The City of Detroit is extending access to overnight shelter for homeless people who need to get out of the cold.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries will offer overnight respite through 9 a.m. Friday morning. So will the Pope Francis Center, but it can only accept single adults. Detroit’s recreation centers and public library branches will serve as warming centers during the daytime.

Anyone who needs help finding longer-term housing can contact the city’s help line, 866-313-2520.

Michigan prison accused of forced labor, sexism

The Michigan Department of Corrections is facing a class action lawsuit for alleged forced labor and gender discrimination.

The lawsuit claims inmates housed at Michigan’s only prison for women were forced to work cleaning common areas for free after getting off from their paid prison jobs. The plaintiffs live in the units that also house participants in the prison’s “Vocational Village” but don’t take part in that program.

The complaint alleges prison staff told the women they’d still have to work as unpaid porters one week a month or risk losing their paid gigs and education opportunities. But the women suing claim that goes against department policies, and that men in a similar housing situation in another prison don’t face the same requirements.

Reporters have reached out to the Michigan Department of Corrections for comment.

Authentic Eastern Market receives $1.5 million grant

A 3-year grant for Eastern Market will focus on increasing the number for Detroit Farmers who participate in the market. The Authentic Eastern Market Campaign will also focus on improving infrastructure and sustainability.

The Gilbert Family Foundation’s $1.5 million investment will support the Shed 7 Regional Wholesale Distribution Center project to bring more entrepreneurs of color to the Eastern Market District. The money will also help with stormwater management and branding projects.  

WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET’s Pat Batcheller and MPRN’s Colin Jackson contributed to this report.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.