A massive water main break in West Hollywood caused significant flooding and created a large sinkhole near the Sunset Strip on Thursday morning.

A 36-inch trunk line dating back to 1916 ruptured early Thursday morning, sending a torrent of water across West Hollywood streets. The break, located near Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, created a massive sinkhole and flooded several apartment garages and a nearby Metro bus yard. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power worked to shut off the highly pressurized system, which required crews to turn valves slowly to prevent further damage. While the flooding caused significant traffic delays and forced several Metro bus lines to detour, officials confirmed that drinking water remains safe for nearly all residents. Mayor Karen Bass visited the scene to observe the repairs, noting that the infrastructure is over 100 years old. Anselmo Collins, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, stated that crews must first pump out the water before an official repair timeline can be established. Residents with damaged vehicles or property are encouraged to file claims through the department's website.

Sources