Live cable lines are holding people hostage in their homes on Vermilya Ave., in Flint. Blame mother nature, she uprooted a tree Thursday morning and the neighborhood has not been the same since.

“It seems like we haven't had anything like this in a long time," said John Hamacher who lives in Flint.

Consumers Energy is guarding the wires, keeping everyone including Mail Carrier Tara Ferrell from getting hurt.

"Walking through this is kind of hard, I can’t get to boxes or houses," said Ferrell.

For 8 years, Ferrell has been assigned to this route, unable to do her job yesterday, Ferrell sent camera phone pictures to her boss, proof she can not get to her mail boxes.

"Yesterday I literally ducked under and climbed over every little wire to get to all these houses around here,” said Ferrell.

On the flip side, Everett Lafner is brining in money from unexpected customers.

"I’m loving it, I don’t want to capitalize on peoples misery but its keeping me busy," said Lafner.