MONROE - The polar vortex has brought record low temperatures to the Midwest, and Monroe is no different. Subzero temperatures have lead to reports of burst water pipes across the state, and in Monroe, the situation has forced one family out of their home.
A pipe burst in Tiffany Elliott's mobile home about two weeks ago, and she has been staying in a motel ever since.
"It happened after I was trying to sell the place," Elliott said.
Elliott, a single mother of two, said she bought her trailer for $5,000 about two years ago, but is now only asking for $1,500, due to the damage to her pipes.
"Who's going to buy a place with no water?" she asked.
Elliott's trailer is located in the Monroe Estates Mobile Home Park. Most trailers have their water mains located underneath the structure, where they are exposed to frigid temperatures.
Because her trailer is on private property, Elliott cannot receive assistance from the city water department to fix her pipes.
Mike Kennison, water supervisor for the city, said his hands are tied because the trailer is on private property.
"It's a double-edged sword," he said. "It's difficult for us to deal with since all we can say is they should have put heat-sleeves on their pipes."
Elliott said she had propane heaters under her trailer pointed at the pipes and was diligent about keeping the water running. Despite her efforts, Mother Nature had other plans.
"I've called every possible avenue I can think of and no one can help me," she said.
Don Westthal, landlord of Monroe Estates, said because she is the owner of the trailer, he can't help Elliott either.
"It's just my responsibility to make sure the water comes out of the ground," he said.
Westthal said he sent out a letter in the fall to warn his residents of the impending winter weather and to put heat sleeves on their pipes and keep their water running.
"It's been a tough year for everybody," he said.
The city of Monroe Water Department said in a press release that a pencil-size flow of water from a faucet is enough to keep pipes from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.
A pipe burst in Tiffany Elliott's mobile home about two weeks ago, and she has been staying in a motel ever since.
"It happened after I was trying to sell the place," Elliott said.
Elliott, a single mother of two, said she bought her trailer for $5,000 about two years ago, but is now only asking for $1,500, due to the damage to her pipes.
"Who's going to buy a place with no water?" she asked.
Elliott's trailer is located in the Monroe Estates Mobile Home Park. Most trailers have their water mains located underneath the structure, where they are exposed to frigid temperatures.
Because her trailer is on private property, Elliott cannot receive assistance from the city water department to fix her pipes.
Mike Kennison, water supervisor for the city, said his hands are tied because the trailer is on private property.
"It's a double-edged sword," he said. "It's difficult for us to deal with since all we can say is they should have put heat-sleeves on their pipes."
Elliott said she had propane heaters under her trailer pointed at the pipes and was diligent about keeping the water running. Despite her efforts, Mother Nature had other plans.
"I've called every possible avenue I can think of and no one can help me," she said.
Don Westthal, landlord of Monroe Estates, said because she is the owner of the trailer, he can't help Elliott either.
"It's just my responsibility to make sure the water comes out of the ground," he said.
Westthal said he sent out a letter in the fall to warn his residents of the impending winter weather and to put heat sleeves on their pipes and keep their water running.
"It's been a tough year for everybody," he said.
The city of Monroe Water Department said in a press release that a pencil-size flow of water from a faucet is enough to keep pipes from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.