GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two weeks after a water main break in Southeast Grand Rapids impacted more than 200 homes, one homeowner said he's running out of time to get his basement repaired.
"It's dangerous. It's just so dangerous, it feels like our lives are in the city's hands," said Larry Gibbs, Grand Rapids resident.
A water main break on the corner of Adams and Philadelphia in Southeast Grand Rapids flooded many people's homes and destroyed their belongings.
"It keeps me up all night. That's why I'm not sleeping. It's because I could possibly lose this house due to mold," said Gibbs.
Gibb's basement was flooded with water two weeks ago and is now covered with mold.
"You can see the mold right here on the steps right there, actually forming because every day that it rained after, the water would slowly seep in right here. Then you could see where the mud formed on one side, where it came down," said Gibbs.
Gibbs has been using fans and dehumidifiers to combat the mold. He also has sinkholes forming around his home.
"I have bamboo stakes going around the yard, and if it goes right into the ground, it's like, okay, I should mark that. The main thing is, is having to live here with the mold forming, you know, and having places come out here and tell me, you got three weeks before the mold takes over," said Gibbs.
Gibbs contacted his insurance company for help, and was told since the damage wasn't from a natural disaster, they can't do much. He's also reached out to the city but they haven't been to his home since June 13. As far as what's next for Gibbs, he hopes the city won't leave him behind.
"I'm hoping the city steps up and saves our community over here. You know, we are hard working people. You know we've worked hard for everything that we have, and we've lost it, and it wasn't our problem," said Gibbs.
Gibbs said the city emailed him back yesterday that they will be reviewing his situation during a meeting Friday.
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