A water main break on Thursday flooded several streets, freeways and cars in the eastern part of Houston, Texas. The water reportedly flowed some two miles from its starting point, causing "major traffic backups” across large areas of the Lone Star state's largest city.
"Water covering a part of the main lanes causing people to sit on the roofs of their cars," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted. "This is a cluster, but we will get it worked out”.
Major disruption to ship channel main lanes. Traffic shutdown both sides. Multiple agencies assisting with mobility. Several cars flooded, all occupants are out. Avoid the area. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/3N1tovNlDY
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) February 27, 2020
This is a cluster, but we will get it worked out. I’m out here with our units, plus @houstonpolice @HoustonFire. 225 is shutdown at 610. Some businesses about a mile down are reporting no water service #HouNews https://t.co/uehpjZz02k pic.twitter.com/kyZICytihb
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) February 27, 2020
Local police and firefighters are still trying to control the situation following the break in the 96-inch-diameter water main. Draining the enormous pipeline is expected to take 6 to 8 hours at a minimum, according a city sheriff.
“It’ll be several hours before the 610 East Loop and roads are opened,” Houston police tweeted, calling on drivers and gawkers to avoid the areas affected by the flood.
HPD Asst Chief @SatterwhiteLJ and Jeff Weatherford of @HouPublicWorks brief our evening shift supervisors on the road closures and say it’ll be several hours before the 610 East Loop and roads are opened. Please use alternative routes. @FireChiefofHFD #hounews #houtraffic https://t.co/UPgwnv3vuV pic.twitter.com/33H5Nvwe9S
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) February 27, 2020
As a result of a break in the city’s largest water line, serving over 50 percent of Houston, the city is running short of drinking water and water for toilets.
The sheriff called for residents to “plan on boiling water for consumption and also conserve water”. Official statements regarding the massive break have not projected a time frame for repair.
This is the 96-inch water main break off 610 East Loop that caused the flood on the highway. It has a widespread impact. Houston Public Works is advising people to *conserve water* due to a loss in pressure.
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) February 27, 2020
List of closures: https://t.co/AUQ76Qr2MY pic.twitter.com/igjClEXbx2
Please continue to avoid the area near 610 & Clinton Drive in East Houston. There is still a lot or water on the roads. Firefighters are on scene assisting citizens. @FireChiefofHFD pic.twitter.com/ulXuTcjxrl
— Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) February 27, 2020
BREAKING: it’s going down in Houston! A massive water main break flooded 610 East Loop near Clinton. 🚧 Rescues are underway, cars are stranded and neighborhoods are flooded.
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) February 27, 2020
I’m en route but am stuck in traffic like everyone else. https://t.co/iIMGVUL100 pic.twitter.com/D91QNRUkaY
This is the site of the water main break off 610 & Clinton in east #Houston. Crews clearing debris and bringing in pumps to get water out so they can get down to the pipe #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/pvVNp0RcX2
— Grace White (@GraceWhiteKHOU) February 27, 2020
Massive water main break floods Houston freeway and homes https://t.co/VsHs7fbiDY pic.twitter.com/LsnHD52W0G
— TheUrbanNewz (@TheUrbanNewz) February 27, 2020
Houston water main break causes major flooding, submerging cars and filling streets - CNN https://t.co/fFiGvPswY7 pic.twitter.com/yTBkFbUGv9
— TheUrbanNewz (@TheUrbanNewz) February 27, 2020
WTF! major water main break near the 610 east loop and Clinton Drive at east #Houston #TEXAS #USA ...repairs to take 7-8 hours... pic.twitter.com/fe0NE6jqBF
— Tocamelaotravez (@tocamelaotravez) February 27, 2020
5/5
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) February 28, 2020
Today's water line break is a reminder of the aging infrastructure that Houston and other major cities face as we work to make improvements each day." pic.twitter.com/rZXAX0s65W
