Water Main Break Causes Flooding In Scotch Plains [VIDEO]

A broken water main break in Scotch Plains is causing river-like floods.

A 48 inch concrete transmission main pipe burst at around 5AM this morning in Scotch Plains at Birch Street & Portland Avenue.

No customers are “tapped” into this particular pipe.  It carries water to provide service to a larger area, which includes Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Watchung, and Warren.

A few homes and a church in the area right around the break have flooded.

“For the most part, the biggest kinda impact is that some customers in those four towns would experience some low-water pressure,” said Peter Eschbach of American Water.

Before the break was brought under control around 7AM, flood-like conditions quickly developed in the immediate area with water gushing into the street causing damage and homes to be evacuated.

St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish was heavily damaged and several buildings and basements were completely flooded out according to WABC TV.

Crews have isolated the spot of the break, shut off water to the break, and are now pumping water out to determine the severity of the damage. The utility is asking customers in those town to conserve water, so that the system does not get overstressed.

There is no estimated time for restoration, since the repair process is just starting.  The complicated part is that the pipe is very far underground, so it requires an excavation process to get to it.

Matthew White contributed to this report.

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