A Collinsville, Illinois, homeowner says a water main break sent water, gravel, and debris crashing into her property Monday morning, damaging both her home and her vehicle.
Jenille Reese told First Alert 4 that she first thought it had started storming or hailing outside. Then her youngest daughter ran in and told her the pipe had burst.
The break happened on High School Avenue, just feet from Reese’s home. She said the force damaged the roof, chipped paint off the front of the house, and sent water into the basement.
The damage started in the street, not inside the house. A failed water main can still reach a roof, siding, basement, driveway, and parked vehicle before a homeowner has time to understand what happened.
The Car Was Damaged Too
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Reese said her car’s moonroof shattered during the break. She also told First Alert 4 that the windshield would need to be replaced.
The homeowner estimated repairs could cost more than $100,000. The city of Collinsville said its insurance carrier is investigating the claim.
The Homeowner Says This Has Happened Before
Reese told the station this was not the first time a water main had damaged property along the street. She said breaks have happened about two or three times a year since she moved in, often near her home in some way.
The city said it had already begun designing a project to replace the aging 12-inch water main before this week’s break. Officials said the goal is to replace the main within the next year.
Water Damage Needs a Record Before Cleanup Starts
FloodSmart, the National Flood Insurance Program’s consumer site, advises homeowners to take clear photos and videos of damaged items before cleaning, fixing, or throwing anything away.
The guidance also recommends wide shots and close-ups of walls, floors, furniture, and structural damage, along with serial numbers for damaged appliances or electronics when possible.
Homeowners should also keep repair receipts and small samples of damaged materials, such as carpet, drywall, or insulation, when it is safe and practical to do so.