WEST HOLLYWOOD—On July 16, at 3:55 a.m., a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 1916 36-inch riveted steel pipe ruptured underneath a highly trafficked area of Sunset Boulevard, resulting in a sinkhole and severe flooding on the Sunset Strip at Holloway Drive.
As reported by the city of West Hollywood, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a notice that the severe flooding resulted in the following road closures:
- Eastbound Sunset Blvd is closed between Larrabee and Sherbourne Drive.
- Eastbound Holloway Drive is closed between Sunset Blvd and Westmount Drive.
- Eastbound Santa Monica Boulevard is closed between San Vicente Blvd and Hancock Drive.
- Larrabee Street, Palm Avenue, and Hancock Avenue are all closed on the Northbound and Southbound routes between Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has safely shut off the waterline while responding to the immediate flooding and assessing the extent of damage done.
The fast-moving water caused damage to the surrounding neighborhoods, that passed over vehicles, either trapping them in place or pushing them into each other, with reports of water spilling into parking garages as well.
LADWP General Manager David Hanson and Chief Operations Officer Anselmo Collins informed West Hollywood residents that while officials respond to the flooding and are investigating the cause of the rupture, they have coordinated with the Los Angeles Fire Department so fire hydrants will still have water access, as well as clean water being accessible for residents.
The city of West Hollywood and the LADWP are working to contain the flooding and fix the sinkhole in the city. Drivers are asked to follow traffic regulations and lane closures.
By Megan Hanson