In a startling turn of events late Sunday night, a water main break near San Francisco’s bustling Union Street shopping district resulted in water and mud surging from an intersection, flooding streets and causing significant disruptions. As the city grapples with the aftermath of this incident, a giant sinkhole has emerged, posing additional challenges.
According to Joseph Sweiss, spokesman for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, by Monday morning, the intersection of Green and Fillmore streets bore witness to a massive sinkhole, underscoring the extent of the damage caused by the water main break.
The disruption in the affected area is expected to persist for at least a week, as revealed by PG&E worker Matt Quintana. He explained that the incident led to a gas leak due to damage to underground pipes caused by flooding. However, Quintana reassured the public that there is currently no danger, as the gas supply has been shut off.
Contrary to initial reports, PG&E spokesman Jason King later clarified that the utility had not identified any gas leaks or outages resulting from the incident.
Residents and business owners in the vicinity were significantly impacted by the water main break. Patrick Souris, a resident residing at the corner of Fillmore and Green streets, shared his experience of water disruption, highlighting that the water supply had returned but with a disconcerting dark brown color. He also recounted the disruption caused by car alarms and revealed that floodwaters had displaced a Range Rover by approximately 10 feet.
The response to the water main break was swift, with firefighters dispatched to Fillmore and Green streets immediately after it occurred, arriving at the scene in under two minutes. Crews worked tirelessly overnight to repair the damage to a cast-iron 16-inch water main dating back to 1949 and an adjacent 8-inch water main.
The incident prompted a multiagency effort to address the infrastructure issues and assess the cause of the sinkhole, as confirmed by Sweiss. Images posted on social media depicted the area in a state of disarray, with streets covered in sludge and roads torn up by the force of the water.
The City Attorney’s Office claims division deployed staff to assist affected businesses and residents. Temporary service interruptions were reported for nearby customers, prompting authorities to advise visitors to steer clear of the affected area until further notice.
Michelle Ung, owner of Union Street Coffee Roastery, described the impact on her business, stating that the water main break began near Green and Fillmore streets, leading to water inundation within her shop’s building. As a result, the usual 6 a.m. opening was delayed. She recounted the challenges faced by her staff in cleaning up the premises throughout the morning and expressed concern about having to close earlier than usual, around 2 p.m.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency also had to adapt to the situation by rerouting inbound and outbound 22 Fillmore and 45 Union/Stockton buses to accommodate the disruptions caused by the incident.
This incident recalls a gas leak event that occurred in November last year at Union and Fillmore streets, necessitating the evacuation of several buildings in the same neighborhood. The water main break serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by cities in maintaining aging infrastructure, requiring vigilant efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of their residents.
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