Department of Environmental Protection

Madison Avenue Turns Into Stream After Water Main Break

Nine blocks of Manhattan's Madison Avenue were shut down Tuesday evening after a water main break flooded streets and basements along the roadway on the Upper East Side.

The main at East 65th Street broke about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the city Department of Environmental Protection. Water gushed into the street for about 30 minutes before workers were able to shut off the main. 

Authorities said that several inches of water flooded basements and businesses along Madison Avenue, which temporarily turned to a stream. 

The water has stopped flowing, but officials said that Madison Avenue will remain closed betwween East 57th and East 66th streets until the broken main is replaced.

It's not clear what caused the break. 

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