A broken water main caused a significant flood in West Hollywood, resulting in a woman being briefly swept away and two men falling into a sinkhole.
The sinkhole formed on Palm Avenue near Sunset Boulevard, likely due to erosion caused by the water. Witnesses captured the moment when the sidewalk where the two men were walking suddenly gave way beneath them.
“I was recording the water, and then I saw those two by the tree, and then, just like that, they fell in. The concrete just gave out,” a bystander recounted.
After the collapse, videos showed a crowd gathering around the sinkhole. Although the men seemed unharmed, there was no immediate confirmation of any injuries.
In a separate incident in West Hollywood, a woman was momentarily caught up in the rushing water while trying to get to safety.
The “major water main break” occurred at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, according to officials. The situation caused damage to local businesses and led to some vehicle collisions.
Authorities are unsure about how the large break happened and are currently focused on managing traffic in the area. They received numerous calls related to the flooding.
Footage from the scene depicted floodwaters inundating streets and vehicles. Reports indicated that the first floor of an apartment building and its underground parking were also affected, with cars appearing stuck.
Officials advised residents to steer clear of the area while crews assess the potential underground damage.
“Residents should avoid the Palm and Sunset area,” urged Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Aaron Caton.
“We need our specialists to evaluate the impact here without risking any further incidents,” he added.
Although the leaking water main has been shut off, Caton cautioned that the extent of erosion underground remains undetermined and could pose dangers.
“The leak has stopped, which is a positive development. But there’s still plenty to do. It’s not safe to walk or drive around here,” he noted.
Mayor Karen Bass stated in a press conference that the aging pipes, over a century old, present significant challenges for morning traffic.
West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman reassured reporters that, as far as they were aware, all residents were safe.
In an interview, Heilman described the flooding as “significant” and mentioned that city officials have been going door-to-door to check on residents and the integrity of buildings.
“A lot of people are still processing what happened. Many faced water damage in their garages, and vehicles suffered considerable damage. We’re assessing the situation and coordinating support for repairs,” he explained.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power issued a press release stating they were “aware” of the main break and that crews were on the scene to carefully shut off water and evaluate the damage.
“Because of the high-pressure system, our teams must proceed slowly with the valve to avoid exacerbating the situation,” they warned.
