Watch CBS News

Water Main Break Damages Several Homes In Carrick

CARRICK (KDKA) -- A large water main break is causing some serious issues for residents in Carrick tonight, leaving many without water service and others with a big mess to clean up.

Penn American Water says repairs won't be finished until the early morning hours of Thursday.

KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:

The 20-inch, cast iron line broke just before 2:50 p.m. in the 1600-block of Concordia Street. For several hours the street looked more like a creek than a residential street.

A neighbor, Nancy Cibula said everything happened really fast.

"We thought it was raining when we heard noises, we looked outside, and saw water everywhere," she said.

At least six homes were damaged by the gushing water, and several dozen others were left without water.

Paul Czolba Sr. told KDKA-TV News, "All my wife's Christmas stuff was downstairs in the basement ready to be put away, and now, it's all underwater."

Crews managed to turn off the water. But even after the water was off, excess could still be seen running down the street.

One resident said he heard a loud pop, looked out his window and saw the water gushing.

"Several inches of water," said Anthony Mehlich, a resident. "It's been going on for over an hour. It's like a swamp; you can't even walk back there. It's up to your ankles at least."

Officials say water service will be off for about eight to 10 hours, affecting 35 customers.

Some residents say they may have to go to hotels for the night because they have radiators in their homes; and with the water shut off, they have no steam heat.

KDKA's Brenda Waters Reports:

With temperatures below freezing, it didn't take long for streets to turn into skating rinks.

"It's ice out there on the main street, ice in the back, ice in the alley," said Chris Gmys, of Carrick. "I had to walk across my friend's yard, and I fell in the alley."

Representatives from a restoration company were going door to door talking to homeowners.

Despite this week's arctic cold blast, Penn American Water reported no immediate spike in water main breaks, at least not yet.

"Over the last two days, we haven't seen any spike in main breaks at this point," said Gary Lobaugh, of Penn American Water. "It certainly doesn't make our jobs any easier working out in these weather conditions, but I don't know that I would attribute it to the cold weather."

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

RELATED LINKS:
More Carrick News
More Local News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.