Water Main Break in Hollywood Hills Causes Road Closure

Update 08/01/16 - as of 7:30 am pipe is repaired and all traffic lanes are now open.

About 30 customers have been left with low water pressure as a result of an 8-inch main break that caused flooding in the Hollywood Hills and impacted multiple businesses on Sunday afternoon.

The incident was reported just before noon at 3365 Oak Glen Drive near the Cahuenga Pass, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

LAFD reported around 12:45 p.m. that about 1,000 gallons of water was gushing out each minute. Firefighters were able to stem the flow, but it was not known how many gallons in total spilled out of the broken main.

Some homes and an apartment building were initially threatened, but no significant structural damage was reported and no evacuations were ordered.

Department officials said that the flooding impacted about six businesses on Cahuenga Boulevard, as well a garage on Oak Glen Drive.

Firefighters were still assessing buildings where the flooding occurred late Sunday afternoon.

A dump truck with sandbags responded to address immediate needs.

All southbound lanes on Cahuenga have been closed during the cleanup. It is not known how long the closure will last.

The cause and resolution for the incident will be handled by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Breaks are not uncommon during summer months.

These seasonal breaks are a reflection of the stress created when dry, hot weather causes the soil to shift and contract. This, combined with higher amounts of water pushing through lines, can lead to increased numbers of leaks and breaks in the water system.

If you notice in unusual leaking, especially gushing, associated with water lines, please report it immediately to the LAFD to reduce water loss and prevent property damage.

The Hollywood Hills are a part of the Santa Monica Mountains and also a hillside neighborhood of the same name in the central region of the city of Los Angeles, California.

The neighborhood touches Studio City, Universal City and Burbank on the north, Griffith Park on the north and east, Los Feliz on the southeast, Hollywood on the south and Hollywood Hills West on the west. It includes Forest Lawn Memorial Park, the Hollywood Reservoir, the Hollywood Bowl and the John Anson Ford Theater.

Hollywood Hills is bisected southeast-northwest by US 101. The neighborhood is bounded on the northwest and north by the Los Angeles city line, on the east by a fireroad through Griffith Park, continuing on Western Avenue, on the south by Franklin Avenue and on the west by an irregular line that includes Outpost Drive.