Service Restored After Water Main Break in North Philadelphia Floods Street
Early Monday morning, a significant water main break in North Philadelphia caused flooding in a local neighborhood, leaving at least 50 properties without water service. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thompson and Franklin Streets, led to brown water rushing through roadways and sidewalks.
The Philadelphia Fire Department responded promptly to the scene, where they discovered a 12-inch water main, over 100 years old, had burst underground. Battalion Chief Thomas Hair reported that the break caused noticeable buckling of the streets. By nightfall, Thompson Street remained closed as crews worked on assessing and repairing the damage.
Visual Impact of the Break
Residents depicted a scene of chaos, with one neighbor, Winter Evelyn, recalling her bewilderment upon witnessing the water flooding the area. “I thought it was coming from the fire hydrant behind me. But then I noticed water gushing out from a tree nearby. It was everywhere,” she explained. “It was really bad, gushing from every little crack in the ground.”
Fortunately, no evacuations were ordered following the incident. Although a vacant home did experience water accumulation in its basement, officials stated that the water did not reach any electrical panels, mitigating further risks. Battalion Chief Hair emphasized the aging infrastructure in the area as a contributing factor to such water main breaks, saying, “Some of these mains might be over 100 years old.”
Status of Recovery Efforts
The city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections, along with the Department of Streets, is actively working on evaluating and restoring service to the affected area. Although some vehicles were towed due to the flooding, authorities confirmed that there were no reports of damage or injuries related to the incident.
Residents whose lives were disrupted by the water main issue have been directed to call (215) 685-6300 for assistance and updates.
Impact Overview
As of now, restoration efforts are underway, and the community remains alert for updates on the ongoing situation.
