Photo via MTA at Lincoln Center stop.
The MTA said it expects to restore subway service as of around 4 p.m. following a water main break that forced the subway operator to shut down service on the 1, 2 and 3 lines between 96th Street and 42nd Street for the morning rush hour.
Subway tracks were flooded after the main broke around 5 a.m., eventually taking in 500,000 gallons of water. When the MTA shut off power, a 1 train was stuck in the tunnel just South of 66th Street and people had to be evacuated.
“The level of water rose above the third rail, making conditions dangerous to operate trains,” the MTA said. “The site of the break was adjacent to an emergency hatch for the Broadway line, which allowed water to quickly pour into the tunnel. Water also came in through several nearby vents.” Workers spent hours pumping water out of the subway tunnels.
Photo via 64th-67th Street Block Association.
Bus service was also rerouted in several areas, as streets were temporarily closed from 72nd Street to 61st on both Columbus and Broadway in the morning. That caused a rush on Citi Bikes, which were completely emptied out, as seen in this screenshot from Adrian Benepe.
Cars were even inundated in parking garages, including this one at 62nd and Broadway:
Video shows cars under water this morning in this underground garage with more water gushing in at 62/Broadway #abc7NY pic.twitter.com/9mEOHLQwjb
— Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) January 13, 2020
The Department of Environmental Protection found the source of the leak at 62nd Street and Broadway around 8 a.m. and shut off the water to buildings on Broadway from 60th to 63rd Streets. We heard about other buildings without water as far away as 75th between Columbus and CPW, though it’s not immediately clear if it was related to the water main break.
Some people in the area were getting murky water from their pipes. NYC Water said people should run the water until it is clear and it is safe to drink.
Normally subway or citibike, but with both being nonexistent today, had no choice but to patch up an old bike quickly, but managed to get to work on time in under 25 min!
Do we know yet if the M66 and M72 have resumed normal service?
Is there any update as to when affected residents, you know, will have water?
We are on West 75th St. building has put up signs about the water. City working on it could be a few days. Water dark brown definitely not drinking.
At 9am, the app showed trains running normally with arrival times listed – except nothing was running. Nice system.
Anyone know if the faucet water in this area is safe to drink today? Our water was dark brown this morning, and just because it’s clear now doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe.
and vice versa.
Anyone want to buy a slightly wet 2019 Tesla?
is it bad that the first thing that came to mind was “oh no, this is going to delay that target even more”?
My thoughts exactly!
Along with, I was gonna go to Bed Bath & Beyond for some new pillows.
Guess not.
Probably also sucks at Best Buy.
And everyone with underground storage lockers.
BBB was flooded?
I get multiple messages from the MTA about disruptive passengers and activated brakes. But today, radio silence. Finally got on a 96 bus east, and for 25 minutes, constantly, “Pease move away from the doors.”
And, today, Sapphire reopened on B’way at 69th.
Anyone know if the Met Opera lower levels are OK? That building goes waaaay underground!