A 100-year-old water main ruptured early Thursday morning in West Hollywood, flooding streets and causing significant property damage. The 36-inch metal pipe, constructed in 1916, suffered a large hole and a crumpled section, as shown in a photo released by Mayor Karen Bass.
Crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have been working around the clock to address the break, which occurred in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. Approximately 200,000 gallons of water have been removed to facilitate the repair of a 25-foot section of the damaged pipe. The agency stated that the pipeline, despite its age, has a leak rate 36% lower than the national average.
The incident caused water to rush down streets, submerging intersections and trapping several vehicles. First-floor apartments and underground garages were also flooded. The popular Dialog Cafe sustained damage, and footage captured the moments the flooding began. Two men fell into a sinkhole created by the floodwaters but appeared to be unharmed.
Parts of Sunset Boulevard remained closed Friday, and sidewalks were inaccessible. Metro bus routes were also rerouted. Residents were advised to avoid the area.
West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman confirmed that all residents were safe, though many experienced significant damage to their vehicles and property. "Obviously a lot of people are still in a state of shock," Heilman said. "They have had water damage to their sub-garages. Their cars have been significantly damaged. We also have a couple of units that have been impacted."
Certain West Hollywood residents are receiving water through an 8-inch backup line and are being asked to conserve water while repairs are underway. A timeline for the completion of the repairs has not yet been provided. The pipeline is scheduled for full replacement, with construction slated to begin in 2031 for a new 10-mile pipeline.