Encino water-main break floods backyards

ENCINO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 66-year-old water-main burst Monday in Encino, flooding streets and backyards. Two homes were evacuated as a precaution.

The 16-inch water main burst in the 17900 block of Karen Drive shortly before 10 a.m. Water eventually buckled the asphalt and opened a gaping sinkhole. At least 60 homes were expected to be without water until repairs on the water-main are completed by about midnight.

Crews with the Department of Water and Power responded to shut down the pipeline. Engineers suspect corrosive soil weakened the cast iron pipe and are unsure if other parts of the pipe have been compromised.

"Water with energy behind it is one of the strongest forces in nature. You think about tsunamis and what not, leaks and water can do a lot of damage," Mike Miller with DWP said.

At least two houses were damaged by the water flow.

"It was just gushing water, just like an eruption of water coming out," resident Al Rohm said.

No injuries were reported.