WEST HOLLYWOOD, California — A massive water main break flooded several streets in West Hollywood early Thursday, sending powerful torrents of water through neighborhoods, opening a sinkhole near the Sunset Strip and leaving damaged roads, stranded vehicles and major traffic disruptions.
The incident was reported shortly after 3 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Officials said the break appeared to originate near Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, where water rushed through nearby streets until crews stopped the flow around 7 a.m.
Water Rushed Through Streets, Damaging Cars and Roads
Video from AIR7 showed fast-moving floodwaters surging south along Palm Avenue, overwhelming parked vehicles, apartment garages and nearby intersections before flowing toward Santa Monica Boulevard.
The force of the water buckled pavement in several locations and created a sinkhole near the Sunset Strip, complicating cleanup efforts throughout the morning. Residents emerged from their homes to assess the damage, while muddy streets and debris made travel difficult across the neighborhood.
Resident Swept Away by Strong Current
The rushing water created dangerous conditions for anyone outside during the flooding.
AIR7 captured the moment one person was briefly swept away while attempting to walk along a sidewalk. The individual managed to regain their footing and climb back to safety. Authorities continued urging people to avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, warning that strong currents can quickly become hazardous.
“It just was a lot of traffic,” one Metro commuter said. “If you’re going to go anywhere Thursday, you just got to plan to leave early. I mean… it’s very messy.”
Metro Bus Yard Flooded, Service Delayed
Floodwaters also inundated a nearby Metro bus yard, where more than 200 buses are stationed.
Officials said every bus was inspected before returning to service to ensure it was safe to operate. Metro confirmed that approximately 700 employees work from the facility, with workers being shuttled from the Pacific Design Center while floodwaters receded.
Although bus service continued throughout the day, several routes experienced delays as crews worked around flooded roads and muddy conditions.
Utility Crews Work to Repair Major Water Main Break
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) responded with a large emergency crew to shut off the damaged water main and begin repairs.
The water flow was successfully stopped around 7 a.m., but officials said cleanup and infrastructure repairs will continue as crews assess damage to underground utilities and roadways.
Traffic remained slow Thursday as motorists navigated damaged pavement, mud-covered streets and ongoing repair work near the affected area.
Authorities have not yet announced what caused the water main to rupture, and the incident remains under investigation.
What are your thoughts on the widespread flooding caused by the water main break? Should cities invest more in upgrading aging water infrastructure to help prevent incidents like this? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
