Water main break floods West Hollywood, opens sinkhole

A major water main rupture flooded parts of West Hollywood early Thursday, sending thousands of gallons of water through residential streets, damaging vehicles and creating a large sinkhole near the Sunset Strip. The incident disrupted traffic, forced multiple road closures and prompted an emergency response as crews worked to contain the flooding and assess damage to the surrounding area.

The break occurred on a 36-inch water transmission pipeline operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Powerful streams of water rushed through Palm Avenue and nearby streets, flooding underground parking garages, trapping vehicles and prompting firefighters to assist residents from affected structures. Authorities reported no serious injuries, though emergency teams remained on scene to monitor conditions and ensure public safety.

LADWP officials said crews successfully shut off the damaged water line by gradually closing underground valves to minimize additional strain on the city's aging water distribution network. Engineers will begin repair work after floodwaters are removed and a full inspection of the damaged pipeline is completed. Utility officials noted that Los Angeles continues to replace aging water infrastructure each year as part of an ongoing modernization program aimed at reducing the risk of future failures.

The flooding led to the closure of several major roads around the Sunset Strip, with officials urging motorists to avoid the area while repairs continue. Multiple parked vehicles sustained water damage, including cars inside underground garages, while public transportation services were also affected after a Metro bus became partially submerged. Inspection teams continued evaluating nearby buildings for possible structural damage throughout the day.

Officials emphasized that the city's drinking water remains safe and that service disruptions have been limited to customers directly connected to the damaged pipeline. The incident has renewed attention on the challenges posed by aging infrastructure across Southern California, where similar water main failures have occurred in recent years, prompting calls for increased investment in replacing deteriorating underground utility systems before they fail.