A water main break near the Midway District caused some flooding, traffic delays and a big scare for one driver Saturday morning.
According to SDPD Lt. David Rohowits, officials responded to reports of a water main break on Sports Arena Boulevard near the Interstate 8 intersection right around 4 a.m.
Arian Collins of the San Diego Water Department said a 16-inch diameter cast iron water main had broken for unknown reasons, causing water to spill onto the road. Collins said mud and debris followed, creating a large mess in the area.
The water was shut off by 5:45 a.m., Collins confirmed. He said a lot of clean-up had to be done in the affected area, so the northbound lanes would likely be closed for much of the day. The amount of water spilled during the incident has not yet been calculated.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a car stuck in the water. Lt. Rohowits said the vehicle – carrying several occupants – had driven into the water and became stuck.
The driver of that car, Jonathan Marks, said he didn’t think the flooding was all that deep until his car stopped right in the middle of the water.
“At first I thought, ‘Oh man, it’s the end of the world,’ said Marks. “I didn’t think the flood was that big and then the car just stopped. I guess this stuff happens.”
Local
Marks was especially concerned because the car he was driving is his father’s vehicle.
Lt. Rohowits said the “fairly deep river of water” in the northbound lanes of Sports Arena Boulevard would likely cause some traffic delays throughout Saturday morning. He said some roads between West Point Loma Boulevard, the I-8 and Sports Arena Boulevard would be blocked off while officials cleaned up the flooding and checked for possible sinkholes.
The cause of the water main break is under investigation. Check back for updates.
