Water Main Break Causes Chaos on Hertel Avenue
A major water main break has caused chaos on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, New York, flooding several blocks and disrupting traffic. The incident occurred on Wednesday night near the Jasper Parrish apartments, at the intersection of Hertel Avenue and Military Road.
The break caused a portion of the street to collapse, and an NFTA bus became stuck in the area. All passengers were safely removed, and there were no reported injuries. The Buffalo Fire Department is assisting with response efforts and evacuating people from nearby vehicles.
The flooding extends from Chandler Street to the south, Lawn Avenue to the north, and east towards the Jasper Parrish public housing complex. City officials urge residents to avoid the area to allow emergency crews and utilities to work safely. The area is currently closed to both vehicles and pedestrians.
Buffalo Deputy Mayor Benjamin Swanekamp was at the scene and confirmed that 26 people were evacuated from buildings, and three more were safely removed from vehicles. The Buffalo Police Department issued a statement advising residents to avoid the area due to the active water main break and severe flooding.
This is not the first time Buffalo has faced such issues. Just last weekend, a water main failure, combined with extreme cold and snow-clogged sewers, caused basement flooding, icy streets, and evacuations. The break impacted nearby businesses, including the Regal Cinemas on Elmwood Avenue.
Swanekamp explained that the issue was caused by a valve product blowing off on the eight-inch main close to the plaza. While the initial break was repaired, the snow and ice created a larger problem, leading to the recent chaos on Hertel Avenue.
Traffic Alert: Hertel Avenue and Military Road are currently closed to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic due to the active water main break and severe flooding. Residents are advised to use alternate routes until further notice.
