A water main break at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in south Minneapolis sent water pouring through multiple floors Thursday, disrupting normal operations and forcing delays and cancellations of some scheduled surgeries. Hospital staff and utility crews moved quickly to contain the leak while maintenance teams checked how far the damage had spread in clinical areas.
According to KARE 11, water flowed through three floors of the hospital and “the issue is impacting portions of the ER and OR,” with some scheduled surgeries delayed or canceled. Crews were on site working on repairs, and the station reported that it had reached out to Abbott Northwestern for more details. It was not yet clear how long those repairs might take or whether any patient care had been moved off-site.
What patients should know
Patients with appointments or scheduled procedures at Abbott Northwestern are being urged to check in with their clinic or care team before heading to the hospital. Call volumes may be higher than usual, so be ready for longer hold times and the possibility of rescheduling while crews finish repairs and staff determine which areas are safe to use.
Hospital context and operational impact
Abbott Northwestern is a major teaching and referral hospital in south Minneapolis that handles a heavy load of surgical cases. Allina Health has been in the middle of a campus revitalization that includes a new surgical and critical care center set to boost operating capacity later this year, which makes any disruption to operating rooms especially significant. For the latest on visiting and patient logistics, the hospital’s main line and visitor information are listed on the hospital's website.
What to watch next
Further updates are expected as repair work continues and damage assessments wrap up. KARE 11 reported that it has reached out to Abbott Northwestern and plans to share additional details once they are available.
