Rushing water turned parts of West Hollywood into an early-morning river on Thursday after a water main ruptured near the Sunset Strip, flooding streets, swamping cars and filling apartment garages. Video from the scene showed a strong current pushing south on Palm Avenue toward Santa Monica Boulevard while a nearby bus yard took on water. Several intersections were shut down as first responders moved in, and residents posted footage of cars stalled in fast-moving water. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department first reported the break shortly after 3 a.m., according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The rupture appeared to have started at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, and multiple street closures were put in place while crews assessed what they were dealing with. Early reports offered few details on the cause or any impacts to water service.
Video from ABC7 Los Angeles showed the extent of the flooding, with fast-moving water slamming into cars and apartment complexes all the way down to Santa Monica Boulevard. A bus yard near Palm Avenue was also inundated in the footage. Fire and city crews worked to steer water away from building entrances and gradually reopen the affected blocks.
Video Shows Geysers and Blocked Streets
A clip from CBS Los Angeles likewise showed water shooting high into the air and spreading across traffic lanes, underscoring how quickly the rupture flooded parts of the Sunset Strip and snarled traffic. The footage captured crews and first responders on scene as motorists were turned back and parking garages began to fill. Short cellphone videos circulating on social platforms mirrored what television crews recorded.
A Familiar Problem on the Sunset Strip
Big ruptures have hit the Sunset Strip before. In 2014 a 36-inch main burst on Sunset Boulevard and sent roughly 9,600 gallons per minute down local streets, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power warned, "With a system as vast as ours, it's bound to happen sooner or later," according to the Los Angeles Times. That history helps explain how a single failure can shut down busy blocks and push water into garages and yards.
Crews remained on scene clearing drains and assessing damage, and local authorities urged motorists to avoid the affected blocks while work continues. This story will be updated as utility and city officials release more information.
