Huge NJ Water Main Break Forces Evacuations
Officials could not immediately provide more details
Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012 | Updated 9:17 PM EDT
NBC 4 New York
Police and fire officials were evacuating homes in Scotch Plains, N.J. because of a water main break early Tuesday. Lori Bordonaro reports.
Police and fire officials were evacuating homes in Scotch Plains because of a water main break early Tuesday.
The break was in the area of Portland Avenue and Birch Street. Chopper 4 captured video of water spewing into the street, flooding the intersection and the yards of nearby homes.
Officials said the water main has been capped, but homes surrounding the break continued their evacuation.
"I didn't know it was gonna come through the homes like that, through the windows," said neighbor Joseph Bianco, whose home was flooded.
A spokesperson for the American Water Company said water quality has been affected, but residents in Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Warren and Watchung could experience low water pressure.
Residents are continuing to assess the damage.
"It's pretty devastating," said Councilman Kevin Glover of Scotch Plains. "Lots of families are affected. This wonderful church has significant damage."
Glover was referring to the gymnasium at St. Bartholomews Church, which buckled in the flood and is estimated to cost $100,000 to replace.
Bianco said he wasn't happy about the flooding, but was thankful no one was hurt.
"This could be replaced," he said, pointing to the front of his home.
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