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WEST HOLLYWOOD () — Several streets in West Hollywood were flooded with rushing water following a massive water main break, opening a sinkhole near the Sunset Strip and leaving widespread damage in the neighborhood.
The incident was first reported shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It appears the break originated at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The water gushed out onto the surrounding streets before it was stopped around 7 a.m.
Video from AIR7 captured the destruction caused by the powerful torrents of water. The brunt of the fast-moving water was seen rushing south on Palm Avenue, swamping parked cars and apartment complex garages down the hill to Santa Monica Boulevard.
Several streets in West Hollywood were inundated with fast-moving water following a water main break. Here’s a look at the widespread impact of the rushing water from AIR7.
Residents in the area were seen walking outside to survey the damage, some of them walking through the current of water and others attempting to drive through. AIR7 captured the moment one person was temporarily washed away by the current while trying to walk along a sidewalk. They eventually managed to get back up.
The sheer force of rushing water in West Hollywood temporarily swept away a person who was trying to get to the sidewalk. AIR7 caught the tense moment on video.
A bus yard in the area was also inundated with water, which officials said would impact bus service in the area.
Several street closures were in place, and the public was asked to avoid the area. No injuries were reported.
The water main break and flooding prompted a large response from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Utility crews worked to shut off the flow of water, which buckled pavement in some areas.
Officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power provided details about a water main break that sent powerful torrents of water gushing onto West Hollywood streets Thursday morning.
LADWP officials said the massive leak occurred in a 36-inch trunk line from 1916. In order to avoid further damage, crews had to slowly and carefully turn off valves of the highly pressurized water system.
“This is one of the challenges when our infrastructure is so old,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told reporters at the scene. “It is my understanding that these pipes are over 100 years old.”
Officials added that water services remained functional for a large majority of customers in the area, with the exception of one person.
City News Service contributed to this report.
DEVELOPING: We will add more details to this report as they become available.
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