Sinkhole Swallows 2 As Burst Water Main Causes Flooding And Chaos On Sunset Strip

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — A century-old water main burst beneath the Sunset Strip early Thursday, sending water surging through West Hollywood streets, causing two people to fall into a sinkhole and flooding parking garages and a Metro bus yard.

The 36-inch trunk line broke at about 3 a.m. near Palm Avenue and Harratt Street, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Water rushed downhill from Sunset Boulevard near Holloway Drive toward Santa Monica Boulevard, pushing parked cars and spilling into underground garages. Flooding also reached the Metro bus yard near San Vicente Boulevard, where aerial video showed buses partially submerged.

West Hollywood now pic.twitter.com/lMVjat1Dy6

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Two people fell into a sinkhole after a sidewalk collapsed on Palm Avenue just south of Sunset Boulevard, a witness told KTLA. They did not appear to be seriously injured.

Firefighters and utility crews shut off the damaged line by about 7 a.m., Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Aaron Katon said. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors and asked drivers to avoid the area while crews assessed the damage.

Video aired by KTLA showed water pouring down the steps of an apartment building on Hancock Avenue and flooding its parking garage, leaving several vehicles in several feet of water.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said the ruptured pipe was installed in 1916. An adjacent 8-inch distribution line remained in service, allowing water to continue flowing to nearly every customer in the area. Only one customer was without service Thursday morning, officials said.

Because the system is highly pressurized, workers had to close underground valves slowly to avoid causing additional damage, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news briefing.

“The good news is that all of our residents are safe,” West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman told KTLA.

Officials had prepared an evacuation zone in case conditions worsened, but no evacuations appeared necessary Thursday morning, Heilman said.

The break forced road closures along Sunset Boulevard and caused widespread traffic disruptions. Metro said several bus lines were delayed or detoured around the flooding, including lines 2, 4, 10, 14, 16, 20, 105, 134, 602 and 627.

LADWP Chief Operating Officer Anselmo Collins said crews would need to pump out standing water before fully inspecting the pipe and determining how long repairs could take.

The cause of the rupture remained under investigation. Collins said water pressure typically reaches its highest level overnight when demand is lower.

Bass said LADWP workers would remain at the scene to assess damage and assist residents and property owners with claims.

Authorities asked the public to continue avoiding the Sunset Strip area while crews repair the pipe and damaged roadways.

City News Service contributed to this report.