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Cause of downtown Orlando water main break that submerged cars, flooded streets unknown

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Utility Commission officials are looking into what caused a water main to break Monday afternoon near downtown, flooding streets during rush hour traffic, submerging cars and prompting a boil-water notice for residents.

Water began gushing out onto Summerlin Avenue near East Concord Street in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District.

While the cause is unknown, OUC officials said they believe Summerlin Avenue could reopen sometime Tuesday, but didn't provide a more specific time frame.

Orlando police officers were diverting traffic away from Summerlin Avenue, which remains shut down between Concord and Amelia streets.

Latest numbers from OUC indicate that there were 13 homes affected by the break, which is less than the 20 to 25 originally thought.

OUC officials are still working on a timeline for the road repairs but say the area from Hillcrest Street to Amelia Street will be closed "indefinitely" until the work is complete.

Crews worked into the night to pump out the water and law a new section of piping. By Tuesday morning the water was gone, but with a thick layer of mud and muck taking its place.

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An Orlando Utilities Commission spokesperson said it was an 80-year-old pipe below the road that burst yesterday afternoon. In no time, water rushed down streets filling backyards and front yards

“I didn’t realize it was that flooded. This is a whole other ball game,” said resident Dan Larson.

When Larson came home to walk his dogs at the end of the day, he discovered massive amounts of water rushing through his neighborhood like a river.

The incident is similar to the last water main break on Summerlin Avenue two months ago. 

Water filled driveways, yards and left some vehicles under water.

To file a break-related claim with OUC, call 407-434-2249.

“I saw the were, like, cars submerged and my apartment is like downhill kinda and my dog was there, so I wanted to make sure there was no water getting in there, trapping him,” said resident Alexis Cobb.

City Commissioner Patti Sheehan walked the area to talk to affected neighbors tonight.

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“One house in particular, it's actually one of our firefighters unfortunately, the water went into his basement, all the way up to his first floor,” she said.

One resident was trying to reach his out-of-town neighbors to warn them what they're coming home to.

“She's in Miami or somewhere like that so it kinda sucks that she can't get to her car, but at least it's only her car and not the whole building,” said resident Tim Meyer.

OUC said once the pipe is repaired, it may take 48 hours before they can start to repair the road.

Stay with wftv.com and watch Eyewitness News This Morning starting at 5 a.m. for updates.

WATCH LIVE: Water main break in downtown Orlando

A water main break is causing flooding on Summerlin Avenue near downtown Orlando, submerging vehicles and causing a traffic nightmare.

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Monday, October 22, 2018