August 03 2022

Storms and Rain: What to Know, When and Who to Call

After weeks of dry conditions, the City received a high-yield rain and storm event on the evening of Wednesday, August 3. There are numerous reports of downed power lines and localized flooding. The following information will provide answers to your frequently asked questions.

POWER LINES AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES

If you encounter a smoking, flaming, or "live" power line, call 911.

If a power line comes down during a rainstorm, keep at least 20 feet away and call DTE’s 24-hour reporting line at 800-477-4747. Never touch or drive across a downed power line.

If you lose power at your home or business, report it to DTE. Please understand that the City's Police and Fire Departments don't have power restoration information and should be called only in case of an emergency.

RAIN AND FLOODING

On the street

In the case of a flood or flash flood, don’t attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters. Turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road, get out of the car and move to higher ground.

If there is flooding in your street that doesn’t recede in a few hours, please report it to SeeClickFix. If the drain on your street appears to be clogged, please contact DPW, or if you can, attempt to unclog the debris yourself after the rain/storm has passed.

If there is an urgent issue, such as significant flooding, and DPW is not available, please contact the Ferndale Police non-emergency line at 248-541-3650.

On your property/in your home

If you have a water backup in your basement, please contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 248-546-2519 or report it to our SeeClickFix portal. Mobile apps are also available via Apple and Google.

FINAL NOTE

Please do not call 911 or the Ferndale Police Department unless you're experiencing a potentially dangerous situation. The Police Department does not have information about power outages or restoration times, and calls about outages tie up the lines for emergencies.