Water main break floods homes in Chicago's Pilsen community

Cleanup is underway after water was left everywhere Wednesday morning from a water main break in the western section of the Pilsen community.

The break left some basements flooded with more than 2 feet of water. Now, residents are wondering what the next steps are. 

The water erupted in the 2500 block of South Claremont Avenue. Fire crews evacuated some units and some residents said everything in their homes was damaged.

"There's water up to the couch. There's nothing — everything is floating on it," said Tracy Cadenas. "Everything's ruined — everything that's on the floor, the shoes, everything. It's all the way to my knees."

Residents said the water was at least two feet high. Homes on the block are structurally sunken, as they were never lifted when sidewalks were raised in Chicago.

Resident Juan Medina's basement was flooded with nearly 30 inches of water. 

Medina, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1998, had just started his own construction business about two years ago. He says he's lost more $7,000 in tools. His business and those tools were his American dream.

"I don't know what to do now," he said. "I'm so frustrated just because, I mean, I'm behind the bills. I don't got no money to pay right now and seeing what happened right now, I'm ...  just frustrating for me."

Water has been shut off for hours as crews work to repair the break. The water has since receded, but left mud behind.

The question now? Who will be responsible for the damages?

Because the main is in the middle of the road, it's city-owned property, so the responsibility falls on them.

Tenants can file claims with the city for monetary compensation. Anything under $2,500 should be filed with the city clerk and anything more than $2,500 with the city's law department.

CBS News Chicago on Wednesday was awaiting official information from the city about the extent of the damage.