A break in a 24-inch water main caused extensive street flooding in South Los Angeles Friday, leaving several parked vehicles fully or partially buried in mud and damaging some homes.
Forty-one people were displaced as a result of the break, reported about 5 a.m. in the decades-old cast iron main at 55th Street and Towne Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power.
The displaced residents, with assistance from the Red Cross, were fed and bused to a hotel for the night, according to the DWP.
“The city’s Department of Disability and the Department of Animal Services are also working with LADWP to support those who have special needs as well as those who own pets,” officials said.
Crews shut down the flow of water shortly before 9 a.m., but not before streets, yards and driveways were flooded. At one point, aerial images showed some vehicles sinking in the water toward the main break.
The DWP reported that four vehicles sustained serious damage, despite the leak being substantially slowed two hours after the break was reported.
“The shutdown process for the 24-inch diameter pipe had to be done carefully so as to not damage other pipes in the area,” according to an LADWP statement issued late Friday morning that said 75 customers were without water.
“Water system crews and water quality staff have determined that due to loss of pressure in the ruptured pipe serving 75 customers in the affected area that the pipe must be disinfected in order to ensure the highest water quality standards. This process takes up to 48 hours to complete. As a result, crews have distributed bottled water to area residents this evening as well as placed large water stations in the area to assist residents with household water and sanitary needs until water service can be safely restored.”
Portable toilets were moved into the area for residents use and more were to be delivered Saturday morning.
Services were also available at the Fred Roberts Recreation Center.
A portable shower trailer with three stalls was to be delivered around midnight and another was due to arrive Saturday morning.
Sections of 55th and 56th streets were closed to traffic between Main Street and Avalon Boulevard. Firefighters assisted some residents in getting out of their homes past the water that flooded their driveways and yards.
“The leak has caused property damage in the area, which will be assessed by on-site claim agents,” the LADWP said.
Gas service has also been shut off in the area of the break to allow crews to perform shoring work and the removal of vehicles, the DWP reported.
Those whose vehicles were towed were directed to call US Towing at (323) 870-7100. They are located at 2119 E. 25th St. and no charge will be assessed.
Information on how affected customers can file a damage claim with LADWP is available at www.ladwpnews.com/information-on-how-to-file-a-claim.