Streets turn into rivers after water main breaks in San Francisco

SFPUC workers repair a water main break at the Dewey traffic circle in San Francisco on May 1, 2019. SFPUC workers repair a water main break at the Dewey traffic circle in San Francisco on May 1, 2019. Photo: SFPUC Photo: SFPUC Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Streets turn into rivers after water main breaks in San Francisco 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Story updated on May 2, 2019.

Statement from the SFPUC:

"As of 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, water has been restored to all buildings affected by this morning's water main break at Dewey and Taraval.

"SFPUC crews are still on the scene for cleanup, and the northeast side of Dewey Circle (at Dewey Boulevard) is closed to traffic. Cars are being diverted to Kensington Way.

"The northeast side of Dewey Circle is expected to open up to traffic later this afternoon."

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A water main broke early Wednesday in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood, and photos posted on social media show streets covered in water.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission was alerted of the underground pipe break at Taraval and Dewey at 6:30 a.m.

"Expect major traffic delays if traveling through Dewey Circle (Taraval, Dewey, and Claremont intersection)," SFPUC spokesperson Betsy Lauppe Rhodes shared in a statement. "Please use alternate routes.

The break occurred on an 8-inch cast iron pipe that was originally installed in 1920.

Breaking-water main break. San Francisco. Claremont and Kensington. Crews tell me when pipe or pipes broke the force was strong enough to crack and lift roadway @kron4news pic.twitter.com/8OW2oYV8IM — Will Tran (@KRON4WTran) May 1, 2019 Breaking-water main break in San Francisco at Claremont and Kensington. Water coming from pipe under the street so crews will need to excavate. Told it will take all day. No loss of water tho to homes @kron4news pic.twitter.com/HgMXR2A97e — Will Tran (@KRON4WTran) May 1, 2019 Water main break in San Francisco at the Claremont and Kensington traffic circle in St. Francis Wood. pic.twitter.com/Ixs5w8Fh0d — Amy Hollyfield (@amyhollyfield) May 1, 2019

SFPUC spokesperson Will Reisman says the repair work will last four two six hours on Wednesday afternoon and during that time, homes on the following streets will experience water shutdowns:

Montalvo Avenue

Magellan Avenue

Kensington Way

Vasquez Avenue

Garcia Avenue

Edgehill Way

Ulloa Street

Portola Drive

Juanita Way

"The West Portal Elementary School is located near the scene of the incident, but the school will have water throughout the day, and will not be affected by the shutdown," Reisman says.

No property damage has been reported at this time.

KRON-TV reporter Will Tran was on the scene talking with workers who told him that when the pipe broke "the force was strong enough to crack and lift roadway."