Several Homes Flooded Following Water Main Break In Northeast Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A water main break in Northeast Philadelphia is causing major problems for some residents.
CBS 3's Joe Holden reports six houses were affected when 16-inch water main broke on the 11000 block of Millbrook Road around 11:15 a.m. Thursday.
INUNDATION - A half dozen homes in Northeast Philly flood after a 16" water main breaks. This is Ed Vollmer's basement. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/gaw3pRpCym
— Joe Holden (@JoeHoldenCBS3) January 5, 2017
As many as five homes had water flowing through them.
"My parents' driveway looks literally like a creek," one woman said. "It's insane."
Water gushed through Ed Vollmer's basement and out the backdoor. His family tried to sweep the water out, but they gave up from exhaustion.
"The water is flowing through the door like a broken dam because the door can't hold," Ed Vollmer said.
Vollmer told CBS 3 he's complained to the city and the Philadelphia Water Department about a sinkhole in the middle of the street since May.
He said they dropped off a metal plate months ago and that was about it. At this moment, it's unclear if there is a connection between the sinkhole and the water main break.
"They told me they were working right around the corner today on Greenmount for another water leak. When they shut the water down this thing burst," Vollmer said.
Thousands of gallons of water flowed for hours as many residents have not been able to assess how much damage there is to their basements. Many expect to lose heaters, furnaces, freezers and other appliances.
Vollmer said there's a level of frustration why this happened in the first place.
"I blame the city. For seven-and-a-half months they had ample time to correct the problem, and their resolution was to just drop a steel plate on it," Vollmer said. "Neighbors have been complaining and complaining, but nothing has been done."