Pontiac Apartment Residents Return Home After Water Main Break Evacuation

Roughly 360 residents were forced to evacuate the Carriage Place Apartments due to a water main break and heating system failure.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Roughly 360 residents at an apartment building in Pontiac, Michigan, are returning home less than 24 hours after a water main break on Tuesday night forced them to evacuate. The city says cold temperatures were the cause of the break at Carriage Place Apartments, which also came with a heating system failure. Residents couldn't stay there overnight because the water, heat and electricity had to be shut off for safety concerns.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the challenges faced by low-income residents in aging apartment buildings, where maintenance issues can quickly disrupt their lives. It also showcases the importance of emergency preparedness and the role of local government and community organizations in providing shelter and support during such crises.

The details

Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness said first responders prioritized helping older residents and people with mobility challenges get out. The church next door provided immediate shelter before the city moved residents to hotel rooms. One resident, Jackie Williams, who lives on an upper floor and cannot walk, had to crawl down the stairs to get to the bottom because the elevators were turned off. Another resident, Kira Searcy, said she was in the dark about what was going on and felt the building's owners didn't do enough to maintain the property.

  • On Tuesday night, a water main break occurred at the Carriage Place Apartments in Pontiac, Michigan.
  • Residents were evacuated from the building less than 24 hours after the water main break.

The players

Carriage Place Apartments

An apartment building in Pontiac, Michigan, where a water main break and heating system failure forced the evacuation of roughly 360 residents.

Mike McGuinness

The mayor of Pontiac, Michigan, who said first responders prioritized helping older residents and people with mobility challenges during the evacuation.

Jackie Williams

A resident of the Carriage Place Apartments who lives on an upper floor and cannot walk, and had to crawl down the stairs to evacuate.

Kira Searcy

A resident of the Carriage Place Apartments who said she was in the dark about what was going on during the evacuation.

Ahmad Taylor

The Pontiac Housing Commission Executive Director, who issued a statement about the incident and the efforts to support the displaced residents.

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What they’re saying

“I had to crawl down the stairs to get to the bottom because I couldn't take no elevator because they turned it off. So if it's an emergency and the elevators don't work, I'm hit. I have to crawl.”

— Jackie Williams, Resident (cbsnews.com)

“Got here yesterday around 7 pm, and when I say everything was pitch black, it was pitch black. I didn't know anything. All they said was go over to the church.”

— Kira Searcy, Resident (cbsnews.com)

“They got all this money to fix the building, and they didn't fix nothing. We're staying in low-income, they treat us like low-income. They're going to want their rent on the first.”

— Kira Searcy, Resident (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Pontiac Housing Commission and state representatives are working to address the issues at the Carriage Place Apartments and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by low-income residents in aging apartment buildings, where maintenance issues can quickly disrupt their lives. It underscores the importance of proactive building inspections, timely repairs, and effective emergency response plans to support vulnerable communities during crises.