A 36-inch water main in West Hollywood ruptured shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday, flooding streets, homes and about 200 vehicles. Crews replaced a 25-foot section and welded the new pipe by about 5:30 a.m. Saturday, and are now conducting pressure testing, disinfection and water-quality checks. Sunset Boulevard remains closed between San Vicente and Sherbourne, power outages have largely been resolved, and the city is helping displaced residents with lodging and damage-claim support.
West Hollywood Water Main Rupture: 25-Foot Repair Enters Pressure Testing as Flood Recovery Continues
Photo Credit: iStock
A major repair effort on a century-old 36-inch water main in West Hollywood has moved into pressure testing after crews removed and replaced a damaged 25-foot section that ruptured early Thursday and flooded nearby streets.
What Happened
Shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday, a 36-inch steel water main installed in 1916 failed, releasing millions of gallons of water into surrounding streets. The breach flooded homes and businesses, swamped about 200 vehicles and contributed to power outages and multiple road closures.
Repair Progress
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews removed the damaged stretch of pipe and welded the replacement segment into place; welding was finished at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Crews then began pressure testing the new section. The line will remain out of service until it passes pressure tests, is disinfected, and meets state water-quality standards.
Local Impact
Sunset Boulevard remains closed between San Vicente Boulevard and Sherbourne Drive, along with several adjacent side streets, causing traffic disruptions and longer commutes. The rupture also caused power problems; Mayor John Heilman reported that the number of buildings without power fell from four to two as crews continue repairs.
Assistance and Next Steps
The city is coordinating with property owners and Southern California Edison to inspect and repair damaged electrical panels. West Hollywood is assisting displaced residents with temporary lodging, including discounted hotel rates and online guidance about insurance claims and assistance options. LADWP has staff on site to help residents and businesses file damage claims for flooded property, business interruptions and vehicle losses.
Safety note: The line will not be returned to service until pressure testing, disinfection and state water-quality confirmation are complete. Officials say progress has been made but the timeline depends on successful testing.
Residents are urged to follow official city and LADWP updates for reopening timelines and safety guidance.
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