Bronx water main break leaves cars submerged, many residents without service

NEW YORK — A massive water main break in the Bronx on Monday night left cars submerged and residents without service.

Officials said the water began rushing down Webster Avenue near the Mosholu Parkway at around 7:30 p.m., leaving vehicles submerged, bags of garbage floating, and hundreds of area residents without water service.

The break promoted a large response from numerous city agencies, including NYC Emergency Management, the FDNY, the NYPD, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

As officials worked to find the source of the break and fix the problem, Webster Avenue from East 204th Street to Bedford Park Boulevard remained closed.

Webster Avenue transformed into a river

One block after another, the water was everywhere. For many, it was a jaw-dropping sight.

“This is a swimming pool. This isn’t the path I normally walk. Unbelievable,” nearby resident Emily Torres said.

Officials said the large break left water pouring into the streets and up against cars. Firefighters rescued one woman before bringing her to safety.

“My car is over there swimming,” said Sharon Ilo, who added she rarely parks on Webster Avenue. “You park on the street and you take a chance.”

“Everyone’s car is flooded and we have no water,” Edina Gutic said.

Gutic, a landlord and mother, was left comforting her son and dealing with 87 of her units that don’t have water service.

“This is not anything anyone wants to experience and you have children and elderly people and this is unfortunate,” Gutic said.

“I wasn’t prepared for this”

Melissa Palacios and her husband also didn’t have water, and had made a quick run to the market after work.

“I wasn’t prepared for this,” Palacios said. “The toilets don’t flush. The bathtubs don’t work.”

The situation will remain a waiting game for many.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to go to work tomorrow and hopefully it doesn’t get worse,” Eliezer Palacios said.