A major water main explosion in Los Angeles, USA, on Thursday caused widespread flooding, submerging streets and damaging vehicles and some buildings, triggering panic among residents and commuters.
The explosion occurred near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, where massive amounts of water gushed into the streets, turning parts of Palm Avenue into a river-like scene, sweeping away parked cars and flooding underground parking lots and residential units.
West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman stated that all residents are safe but described the damage as 'extensive', noting that city teams have begun inspecting buildings and homes to assess the damages.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass highlighted that the main issue was the impact of the floods on morning traffic, noting that the pipes that burst are over 100 years old.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power confirmed that the damaged pipe belongs to them and that their teams are working on shutting down the valves, stopping the water flow, and repairing the damage. They warned that the process requires caution due to the high water pressure.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, as authorities warned of traffic delays and advised residents to avoid the area.