GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Time is up for the neighbors impacted by the June 13 water main break in Grand Rapids.
"It's the mental side that's destroying all of us," said homeowner Larry Gibbs.
Gibbs, who lives off of Allerton Ave., had hoped to have his foundation, furnace and water heater fixed by the time winter rolled around.
During the break, water flooded his basement, left behind mold and a damaged foundation, and ruined extremely important utilities.
"The furnace took so much damage from the water rising," said Gibbs.
The cost to repair the home would be over $100,000, according to Gibbs.
The insurance company has refused to pay a claim to Gibbs for the damage, saying any compensation would have to come from the City of Grand Rapids. However, in August, the city sent out a letter to neighbors who submitted claims saying they wouldn't payout either, citing "immunity."
While the neighbors have retained a lawyer and are waiting for the legal process to play out, Gibbs has water leaking into his basement from when it rains, and now, snows.
"We didn't even get a lot of snow, and this shows what's to come and how bad it's going to be," said Gibbs pointing to a puddle of water on a basement step.
He's had to rig his furnace so that he can flip a switch to turn it on and off, otherwise, it could fail. He also said his water heater has become unreliable.
"You know just as well as I do, those pipes freeze and I don't have hot water, what kind of damage that'll do," said Gibbs.
As he waits to find out what happens next, and if he our any of his neighbors will receive compensation to repair their homes, Gibbs said, he feels like he's been abandoned.
"The mental health side of it is challenging," said Gibbs. "I mean, you walked in downstairs and you saw the puddle of water right there, walking in and, you know, it's, the uncertainty of thinking, could I die from black mold in my house? My hot water doesn't come on and it's freezing, the pipes freeze. Could my pipes burst?"
13 ON YOUR SIDE did reach out to a City of Grand Rapids spokesperson for comment on this story. The spokesperson said they do not comment on pending litigation.