Water main break floods West Hollywood streets, creates massive sinkhole
ByMadison Weil,David González,Sid Garcia,Leo Stallworth, andRob Hayes
Thursday, July 16, 2026 9:12PM
WEST HOLLYWOOD (KABC) –Several streets in West Hollywood were flooded with rushing water following a massive water main break, opening a sinkhole near the Sunset Strip and leaving widespread damage in the neighborhood
The incident was first reported shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It appears the break originated at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The water gushed out onto the surrounding streets before it was stopped around 7 a.m
Video from AIR7 captured the destruction caused by the powerful torrents of water. The brunt of the fast-moving water was seen rushing south on Palm Avenue, swamping parked cars and apartment complex garages down the hill to Santa Monica Boulevard
Several streets in West Hollywood were inundated with fast-moving water following a water main break. Here’s a look at the widespread impact of the rushing water from AIR7.
Residents in the area were seen walking outside to survey the damage, some of them walking through the current of water and others attempting to drive through. AIR7 captured the moment one person was temporarily washed away by the current while trying to walk along a sidewalk. They eventually managed to get back up
The sheer force of rushing water in West Hollywood temporarily swept away a person who was trying to get to the sidewalk. AIR7 caught the tense moment on video.
Metro bus yard impacted by flooding
Metro buses at a West Hollywood bus yard returned to service after floodwaters inundated the facility.
Metro buses at a West Hollywood bus yard returned to service after floodwaters inundated the facility
The yard was among the last locations in the area where water levels began to drop. AIR7 video showed several buses surrounded by water as flooding impacted the yard. When crews arrived Thursday morning, Metro buses were seen leaving the yard
More than 200 Metro buses are stationed at the facility. Before any buses were returned to service, they were inspected to ensure they were safe to operate
The agency said about 700 employees work out of the facility. Employees were being shuttled from the Pacific Design Center so they could safely reach work
Metro said bus service continues in the area, although several bus lines are affected. The agency directed riders to its social media accounts for information about impacted routes and said affected lines were experiencing delays. Traffic around the area remained difficult Thursday as drivers and commuters navigated muddy conditions near the facility
“It just was a lot of traffic,” said one Metro commuter. “If you’re going to go anywhere Thursday, you just got to plan to leave early. I mean … it’s very messy.”
While traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard outside the yard showed some improvement, conditions remained muddy and delays continued
The water main break and flooding prompted a large response from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Utility crews worked to shut off the flow of water, which buckled pavement in some areas
Officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power provided details about a water main break that sent powerful torrents of water gushing onto West Hollywood streets Thursday morning.
LADWP officials said the massive leak occurred in a 36-inch trunk line from 1916. In order to avoid further damage, crews had to slowly and carefully turn off valves of the highly pressurized water system
“This is one of the challenges when our infrastructure is so old,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told reporters at the scene. “It is my understanding that these pipes are over 100 years old.”
Officials added that water services remained functional for a large majority of customers in the area, with the exception of one person
It’s unclear when the ruptured water line would be repaired, as well as the severely damaged portion of Sunset Boulevard
City News Service contributed to this report
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