West Hollywood Hit by Major Sinkhole After Century-Old Water Pipe Bursts

A major water main break in West Hollywood, California, early Thursday morning flooded streets, snarled traffic, and caused a sinkhole to form, highlighting the aging infrastructure in the Los Angeles area. The rupture involved a 36-inch riveted steel pipe, estimated to be a century old, spewing water across a bustling boulevard.

“

All of our residents to our knowledge are safe.

The flooding inundated several major roads, with images showing local metro buses partially submerged in murky water. While no injuries were reported, according to West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman, the incident caused significant disruption. "We know these road closures and traffic impacts are disruptive, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as crews work to stabilize the area, assess the damage, and begin repairs," Heilman stated.

Businesses along the affected Sunset Strip, a popular area known for its restaurants and bars, experienced closures. Dialog Cafe, a well-known brunch spot, announced on social media that it had sustained "significant damage" and its reopening date was uncertain. Residents, however, have been assured that their clean drinking water supply remains unaffected, according to David Hanson, interim general manager for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

“

We know these road closures and traffic impacts are disruptive, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as crews work to stabilize the area, assess the damage, and begin repairs.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the pipe's rupture. Anselmo Collins, COO for LADWP, explained that while the agency replaces about 45 miles of pipes annually, some sections can develop weak spots. He noted that water pressure typically surges at night when demand is lower, often leading to main breaks during those hours. Repairs are underway, involving shutting smaller valves and assessing the situation.

“

Unfortunately, sometimes there may be parts of the pipeline where you end up with a weak spot and it reveals itself when you have these types of leaks.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass used the incident to underscore the need for a robust infrastructure plan. "This is one of the challenges when our infrastructure is so old," she said, referencing the pipe's age predating West Hollywood's incorporation in 1984. Bass highlighted a comprehensive infrastructure plan she helped develop, which will be presented to voters in November, emphasizing its necessity for addressing city-wide infrastructure issues impacting multiple municipalities.

“

Everybody’s asleep. So consequently normally that’s when you see a water main break take place.