Dance Company Flooded by Water Main Break Launches Donation Fund

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — An Upper West Side business has launched a donation fund to help recover from damages suffered during a Monday night water main break which turned Amsterdam Avenue into a rushing river.

Both the first floor studio space and the basement of the Ballet Hispánico dance company were flooded Monday night, according to the company' website. The water damaged many of the costumes used during professional performances and is forcing the company to seek out temporary studio space as it plans to start up dance classes.

"It flooded our basement," Eduardo Vilaro, the company's artistic director, told New York 1. "Our basement, which is full of our professional dance company's costumes. It flooded our school of dance and classes are starting next week, so we are looking at a lot of damage."

The FDNY said they were called Monday night to Amsterdam Avenue in the West 80s at 9 p.m., and the break wasn't brought under control until 11:02 p.m. when the Department of Environmental Protection was able to shut off the water.

In addition to flooding the basements of several businesses, a sinkhole opened up in front of 167 W. 89th St., swallowing an SUV.

Those interested in donating to the Ballet Hispánico recover fund should click this link.

Photo Credit: Sarah Lobel via Twitter