A routine Friday drive in Cleveland's Kinsman neighborhood turned into a fast-moving mess when a water main break flooded the Holton Avenue underpass and stranded a motorist on the roof of a car.
Cleveland firefighters rushed in as water surged beneath the railroad bridge, pulling the driver to safety after the vehicle stalled in the rising flood. Crews from the city's technical rescue unit reached the person perched on top of the car and guided them back to dry ground while Holton Avenue was shut down so first responders could secure the scene.
The water main break hit around 12:30 p.m., according to Lt. Michael Norman, and Technical Rescue Squad 1 carried out the rooftop pull, FOX 8 Cleveland reported. Cleveland Water crews moved in to isolate the break and evaluate damage to the main feeding the low-lying underpass, while local crews coordinated a traffic shutdown between East 83rd and East 90th streets.
Photos From The Scene
Photos from the Cleveland Division of Fire show the underpass fully swamped, with firefighters working near the stranded vehicle as water pours under the railroad bridge. The department shared the shots on its official social feed, Cleveland Division of Fire, offering a close look at the tense rescue and just how quickly a broken main can turn a familiar shortcut into a fast-moving hazard.
Road Closed While Crews Work
Cleveland Water crews stayed on site into the afternoon, and Holton Avenue remained closed between East 83rd and East 90th while repairs continued, according to FOX 8 Cleveland. Officials did not immediately say when the road might reopen, noting that fixing a compromised main can take hours. Drivers and nearby residents were urged to steer clear of the underpass and follow detours until crews clear the scene.
Safety And Outlook
City officials regularly remind drivers not to gamble with standing water, especially in underpasses where depth and current can change in minutes. Fast-moving water and hidden debris can pin vehicles in place before a driver realizes what is happening.
If you encounter a water main break or unexpectedly deep water in the road, the advice is simple: back off, move to higher ground and call 911 so trained responders can check conditions and handle the situation. Further updates from city crews will be reported as they are released.
