LOS ANGELES, CA – A water main break in the Hollywood Hills sent water and mud rushing down a hillside street Thursday afternoon, damaging part of the roadway and raising concerns among residents about possible further erosion or sinkhole risks.
The break occurred just after noon near Wonderland Avenue and Laurel Pass Avenue, outside Wonderland Avenue Elementary School, according to officials.
Water from the ruptured pipe flowed onto nearby surface streets, creating a stream of muddy runoff down the roadway.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews responded and were able to shut off the water source. Officials said no major flooding was reported.
Part of the roadway, however, was damaged by the break.
Information reviewed by Street People indicates some residents were concerned that the force of the water may have weakened the street and surrounding infrastructure, potentially creating risks if heavy vehicles pass through the area before repairs and inspections are completed.
“I was driving up the hill and geysers were forming at the manholes and water was coming out of all of the storm drains,” resident Kristen Stavola said. “And when I say water was coming out, I mean like two feet high.”
Stavola said she contacted emergency crews because she was worried about flooding near the elementary school. No flooding was seen on the school campus, and officials had no reports of water entering nearby homes.
“The concern is that this has all been weakened, and they want it assessed by DWP and street service to make sure that this does not form a sinkhole and it doesn’t give way under the pressure of heavy vehicles,” Stavola said.
Vehicles parked along the sidewalk in the area may have difficulty moving until the water flow fully stops and crews complete their assessment.
There was no immediate timeline for when the damaged line would be repaired, LADWP said.
No injuries were reported.
The break comes after a century-old water main ruptured in West Hollywood in mid-July, sending water through streets and causing major damage to nearby homes, vehicles and businesses.
The Hollywood Hills repair remains ongoing.
