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Busy downtown Orlando street turns into a river as 80-year-old water main bursts

By Kelly Healey, Kevin Williams and Michael Lopardi
By Kelly Healey, Kevin Williams and Michael Lopardi

ORLANDO, Fla. — Crews are working to repair a broken 80-year-old water line that broke, causing Summerlin Avenue to shut down Wednesday between Jackson Street and South Street in downtown Orlando. 

Orlando Utilities Commission officials said the line ruptured at about 12 a.m., turning Summerlin into a rushing river and flooding at least one nearby home.

"We've been renting this duplex for about nine years," said Robert Van Trump, whose home was inundated with about an inch of water. "This is the first time we actually flooded, even with all the hurricanes over the years."

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Van Trump said the water may have damaged some paintings from his mother-in-law. "Those are kind of like heirlooms," he said.

Hours, later OUC is still making repairs -- and trying to figure out why the line burst. 

"We have a significant maintenance program. We try to do everything we can to try and prevent things like this. Unfortunately, they do occur," said OUC spokesperson Tim Trudell.
Water to about 20 customers has been restored.
OUC crews said they hope to fix the issue sometime Wednesday.

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OUC said water samples will be taken.
A precautionary boil water alert is expected to be issued by OUC, but it shouldn't last more than 48 hours, official said.

Cox Media Group

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