Detroit, synonymous with resilience and industrial prowess, is grappling with a new challenge: the growing menace of black mold in the aftermath of recurrent floods. While the city is no stranger to adversity, the question arises: How can we safeguard Detroit’s homes and health from the looming threat of mold, intensified by the escalating challenges of climate change?
“More than half of Detroit homes experience recurrent flooding, 84% of which have mold,” reports Climate Central, a nonprofit organization of researchers who report on the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, coastal flooding, and other extreme weather. But the danger isn’t confined solely to those directly affected by floods. Shockingly, “approximately half of Detroit homes that have not flooded still have mold.” In an era marked by climate change, extreme rainfall events, such as Detroit’s historic 2021 flood, are becoming commonplace. As the warmer atmosphere retains more moisture, it is anticipated that future rainfall will surpass previous records, posing dire challenges, especially for the young inhabitants of Detroit.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department acknowledges the challenges and is actively taking steps. As rainfall becomes more frequent, what proactive measures is Detroit implementing to address flooding concerns, particularly in residential zones and known problematic streets?
“Generally, climate resiliency can be increased through strategic sewer system upgrades, expanding our already robust DWSD Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Program including larger projects that redirect rain and snowmelt through detention basins, and collaborating with other city departments, private and public developers through the city’s stormwater ordinance that was passed in 2019, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), Wayne County, and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to ensure that stormwater management is included in any infrastructure upgrades. The shared goal is to get stormwater out of the combined sewer system or slow down the flow, and to make sure the system we have today is operating to its full capacity.”
Peter Larson, a respected postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, echoed this sentiment in his 2021 study. According to his research, “more than half of almost 4,000 Detroit homes surveyed had experienced recurrent flooding between 2012 and 2020.” Among these homes, “84 percent that had flooded in the past were found to have mold in the basement.” But even more concerning is that “55.4 percent of homes that had not flooded during those years still had moldy basements.” This points to an indisputable truth: with increasing rainfall comes an exponential rise in moisture levels, making even non-flooded homes susceptible to mold.
June 25, 2021, will be long remembered by Detroiters. According to Climate Central’s data, the city fielded “more than 25,000 calls” over two days as relentless rainfall inundated the area, leading to disaster declarations in four Detroit-area counties and 67,000 damage claims with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Despite the sheer volume, about “24,000 damage claims were denied by the regional water authority in Metro Detroit. Authorities argued that the sheer magnitude of rain rendered widespread basement flooding inevitable.” With past episodes in 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020 leaving indelible marks, one wonders: What measures can be adopted to mitigate future calamities? “We’ve known about these issues a long time and have been working towards climate resiliency for several years,” the DWSD statement said. “The 11 bioretention gardens that were installed on Oakman Blvd. in 2020-2021 have reduced flooding in Aviation Sub, and the massive stormwater project in the Far West neighborhood that will remove 100 million gallons of stormwater annually from the combined sewer system are evidence that the climate resiliency work has started and is ongoing.”
Beyond infrastructure and property damage, the presence of mold brings dire health repercussions. Research post major weather events, like Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has indicated the peril of high indoor mold levels, which can induce or exacerbate health conditions, including asthma, respiratory infections, allergies, and even neurological damage. This becomes particularly disconcerting when considering Detroit’s high asthma rates. Larson’s research unveiled a startling correlation: “74.4 percent of households that had flooded in recent years reported having at least one adult in the home who had been diagnosed with asthma.”
The prevalence of asthma within the Black community, especially in urban settings like Detroit, is alarmingly high. Data consistently reveals that Black individuals experience disproportionately elevated rates of asthma compared to other racial groups, with numerous factors contributing to this disparity. One of the often-underestimated culprits is the presence of mold in urban housing. Detroit, with its aging infrastructure and recurrent flooding issues, has a significant number of homes affected by mold. In urban environments, substandard housing conditions—often resulting from economic challenges, lack of adequate housing policies, and historical systemic inequities—can lead to persistent dampness and mold growth. Mold produces allergens that, when inhaled, can trigger asthma symptoms or exacerbate pre-existing asthma in residents. This dynamic creates a perilous environment for Black residents in Detroit, where mold exposure combines with other urban pollutants to intensify the risk of asthma and related respiratory problems.
Leonard James, a Detroit resident and victim of recurrent flooding, poignantly captures the human element behind the statistics. Recounting his ordeal, James states: “The last flood was the worst of them all. It was devastating.” He highlights the gravity of the situation, revealing, “We are all very clearly in a stressful situation around this time of year. My daughter is in the ER almost every year around this time, she has asthma, and I know it has something to do with mold that seems to keep reappearing.”
James’ narrative compels us to examine a fundamental aspect: housing conditions in Detroit. The reality that homes far from major water bodies are flooding suggests that housing conditions might be a significant factor driving basement flooding in the city. “We advise that people who live in flood-prone areas of the city should have items in their basement off the floor, such as in totes and up high on shelving, in case of a rain event. Also, if a storm is forecast, they should consider moving valuables from their basement to a higher floor temporarily,” advised DWSD. “There are about 10 neighborhoods of the 100+ Detroit neighborhoods that are historically flood-prone according to our data – it’s not a consistent citywide phenomenon though DWSD is taking steps to make the sewer system more climate resilient.”
In Detroit, with combined sewer and rainwater systems, overwhelmed pipes can result in untreated sewage backing up into streets and homes. Furthermore, low-income and Black households are more likely to live in substandard housing with foundational issues, exacerbating their vulnerability.
This raises a call to action: How can Detroit, in its enduring spirit of innovation and resilience, address the intertwined issues of flooding and mold? With lives and livelihoods at stake, the city’s response to this challenge will be its testament to future generations.
Given the gravity of the situation, the overarching question remains: What proactive steps will Detroit undertake to shield its residents from the compound threats of flooding and mold, ensuring a safer and healthier future for all? According to the city’s Sewerage Department, “This Fall and into next year, DWSD is supplementing our sewer cleaning crews with a contractor to clean catch basins in the neighborhoods. The goal is to clean the entire sewer system, 2,700 miles of public sewer, and the 90,000 catch basins in a five-year rotation. Again, this effort is to ensure the current system is operating to full capacity, while we work on upgrades and stormwater projects.”