Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo firefighters and emergency officials responded to to a large water main break in the area of Military Road and Hertel Avenue, near the Jasper Parrish Apartments on Thursday night.
The water main break has caused significant flooding and roadway damage, with a portion of the street collapsing as a result.
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan multiple city departments responded to the water main break but no major injuries were reported.
"Water came up with a lot of pressure, buckled the street," Ryan told WBEN on the scene. "Flooding the viaducts, trapping a Metro bus and several cars."
Twenty-six people were evacuated from their homes, some taken via inflatable boats to safety.
"They were able to pull dozens of people out of the freezing water as their cars were submerging," Ryan described.
Water main break at Hertel and MilitaryWBEN
An NFTA bus became stuck in the area; all passengers were safely removed, and no injuries have been reported. Buffalo Fire Department units remained on scene assisting with response efforts and evacuating people from nearby vehicles.
Water main break at Hertel and MilitaryWBEN
Flooding currently extends several blocks, from Chandler Street to the south, Lawn Avenue to the north, and east toward the Jasper Parrish public housing complex.
As a precaution, city vans are being deployed as warming shelters for affected residents. Officials are urging residents to avoid the area so emergency crews and utility workers can safely perform their work.
Major water main break at Hertel & La Force PlaceWBEN
Due to the situation in the vicinities of William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence PS 79, West Hertel Academy PS 94, and Riverside Academy PS 208, Buffalo Schools officials says they will have a remote day of learning on Thursday, Feb. 5.
All students are to stay home and to engage in a remote day of instruction. Teachers and students will use platforms such as Schoology, Clever, Teams, and Classroom Dojo.
The extreme weather of long period of below freezing temperatures have combined to be problematic for city officials.
"Mother Nature hasn't been kind to us the last 12 days, we've had consistent below 15 degree temperatures, and it's going to drop down again this weekend," Ryan noted.
