Residents who noticed flooding in their homes after a water main break in northwest Emporia and haven’t already called the city are encouraged to do so.
Residents can call the City Accounting Department at 620-343-4286. City Treasurer Janet Harrouf says affected homeowners need to take photos or videos of their damage as soon as possible and then call Accounting with name, phone, address and a damage report. City Manager Trey Cocking says at least five homeowners have reached out to the city.
The break developed on a 20-inch line at the intersection of Arrowhead Drive and Flint Road, with the water flow damaging at least one nearby home and triggering a fire call to 2222 Arrowhead after a smell of smoke. No fire was confirmed.
It took about five hours for Public Works to make repairs and bring water pressure back to normal.
6:30 am: Water pressure returning to normal; flooded residents told to call City Accounting Department
Water pressure should be fully restored for residents near the site of a major water main break in northwest Emporia shortly after 5 pm Tuesday.
The break on a 20-inch line developed the intersection of Arrowhead Drive and Flint Road, with the water flow damaging at least one nearby home and triggering a fire call to 2222 Arrowhead after a smell of smoke. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Conley says there was no fire and the smell was likely caused by shorted electrical equipment due to the flooding.
Emporia Public Works fixed the pipe after 10 pm and began restoring water pressure shortly afterward. Director Dean Grant says the break was repaired before water pressure issues affected a larger part of the city.
At this point, there is no word on how many homes may have flooded due to the water line break. Residents who noticed flooding are told to call the city’s Accounting Department at 620-343-4286.
8 am Tuesday: At least one home damaged due to break on 20-inch water line Tuesday evening; Flooding prompts response from Emporia Fire Department
What was originally believed to be a minor case of flooding in an Emporia neighborhood quickly escalated Tuesday evening.
Emporia Public Works crews were called to a water line break at the intersection of Arrowhead Drive and Flint Road shortly before 5:20 pm. Upon arrival, crews discovered a heavy flow of water coming up through the pavement flooding a portion of the street and a nearby lawn.
The water spread to the basement of at least one home and triggered a call to the Emporia Fire Department just after 6 pm. Crews were initially called to 2222 Arrowhead for a structure fire as residents reported a smell of burning in the home.
Batallion Chief Ryan Conley tells KVOE News there was no fire found and the smell was likely due to shorted electrical equipment in the home as a result of the flooding. Evergy and Kansas Gas arrived on scene and cut power to the home to prevent any further issues.
Fire crews cleared the scene shortly before 7:15 pm.
Initially, the break was reported on a 16-inch line, however, Emporia Communications Manager Christine Johnson says the break was actually on a 20-inch line with a cause yet to be determined. Public Works Director Dean Grant says crews managed to isolate the line before any significant loss of water pressure to the Emporia community as a whole.
Water pressure may continue to be affected to residents in the immediate area as repairs continue. Repairs are estimated to be complete by the early morning hours Wednesday, however, an exact time is not readily available.
Residents in the area who are experiencing flooding in their homes are asked to call the City of Emporia Accounting Department at 620-343-4286.
For more information and updates, stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
6:13 pm Tuesday: UPDATE: Minor flooding occurring in Emporia neighborhood following break on 16-inch water main Tuesday evening
Residents in the immediate vicinity of Arrowhead and Flint Road may have noticed a drop in water pressure and significant ponding in their yards following an early evening waterline break Tuesday.
City of Emporia Public Works crews responded to the break shortly before 5:20 pm. The City of Emporia is reporting the break is on a 16-inch line, however, the cause of the break and an estimated restoration time is currently pending.
The break may lead to a drop in water pressure for those living in the area as well as flooding due to the heavy flow of water from the water main. Upon arrival on scene shortly before 5:30 pm, KVOE News observed a heavy flow of water from the pavement and flooding in at least one yard next to the site of the break.
Residents in the immediate area who may experience flooding due to the break are asked to contact the City of Emporia accounting department by calling 620-343-4286.
For more information and updates stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
5:30 pm Tuesday: Water main break reported at intersection of Arrowhead and Flint Road in Emporia
City of Emporia Public Works crews are at the scene of a water main break in a residential area in Emporia Tuesday evening.
The break was reported shortly before 5:20 pm at the intersection of Arrowhead and Flint Road. Details on the break, including the cause, size of the line and restoration timeline are currently pending, however, as of 5:30 pm water was flowing freely from the ground and had flooded a nearby yard.
Water customers in the area may notice an effect on pressure as crews work to repair the break. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they become available.
