Water main break leaves Baltimore County street flooded

BALTIMORE -- A water main break caused major flooding on a road in Dundalk Friday morning, prompting a nearby school to close early. 

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) said the 10-inch break was located at the intersection of Dundalk and Holabird Avenues. 

Around 9 a.m., DPW officials said crews responded to the scene, but it was still early in the repair process. 

WJZ was on the scene as cars drove slowly through areas of deep water. 

The flooding prompted John Stricker Middle School to close at noon and cancel all after-school and evening activities, district officials said.

Holabird STEM Middle School experienced low water pressure Friday morning due to the water main break, according to Baltimore County Public Schools. The water pressure improved within an hour and did not impact school operations or instruction, BCPS said. 

BCPS said it is investigating an alleged email from the principal of the school providing instructions for students to use the restroom "outside acceptable practices." 

"We are investigating this matter and want to assure families that students are permitted to use all school restroom facilities as normal. The school system does not utilize buckets in schools for student use," BCPS officials said in a statement. "We understand that the information that has been shared with members of the community has caused concern, and we will follow all applicable processes and protocols to investigate and address this matter."

Cold weather prompts breaks and leaks 

Parts of Maryland have reported more frequent water main breaks over the past couple of weeks as frigid temperatures gripped the state.

On Sunday, Jan. 12, WSSC Water asked customers in Prince George's and Montgomery counties to conserve water as crews responded to multiple breaks. The conservation request was lifted by Monday evening.

The company reported 220 water main breaks or leaks between Jan. 1 and Jan. 13, with 184 occurring within the past week. 

On Monday, Jan. 13, the Baltimore City DPW responded to 33 water main breaks across the city and county, officials said. 

Baltimore City Councilmember Odette Ramos reported a water main break on Sunday, Jan. 12 that left an apartment complex without water. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, a burst pipe closed the Carroll County Health Department building. 

On Thursday, Jan. 16, some Pikesville residents were left without water and heat during brutally cold temperatures after a water main ruptured.

According to the department's water main status map, there were 39 confirmed water main breaks in the city and county with crews responding to 12 as of Friday afternoon. 

On Monday, City DPW officials said the response level was consistent with the freeze-and-thaw cycle after a recent snowstorm in Maryland brought 3 to 12 inches of snow to the state and waves of freezing temperatures. 

Officials said water main breaks are more common during extended periods of cold, but other factors, like the age of the pipes, can contribute to breaks and leaks. 

Business impact

"Oh my God," said Sandy Rappold, the owner of Hideaway Collectibles on Holabird Avenue. "What am I going to do?"

That was Sandy Rappold's first reaction to seeing the water main break in Dundalk.

"We can go swimming down there," she said.

Even though the lights on her storefront flashed bright Friday, not many people stopped by, leaving her frustrated.

"I have to be here and I'm not going to see anybody," she said.

And it was the same situation for the owner of Soprano's Pizza up the street.

"There's nobody here and I lost a lot of business," said Syed Shah. "I only have one delivery on Uber Eats."

Shah and Rappold said this isn't the first time they saw city crews on Dundalk Ave this week. According to the Water Main Break Map on the Baltimore City Department of Public Works map, crews responded to a water main break on Dundalk Ave earlier this week.

"It carried on down here. It's like an ice skating rink up there earlier this week," Rappold said. "But it's Baltimore. You have to expect different things."

Travel impacts

City crews have half of Dundalk blocked off from Holabird Ave to Chandlery Street.

A spokesperson with MTA said bus route diversions are in place. 

The Navy and the 63 are currently detoured at Holabird Avenue.  Westbound buses are diverting at Holabird Avenue & Dundalk.  Eastbound buses are diverting at Boston Street & Dundalk Ave.

The above routes are using Odonnell Street to go around the water main break and then back to their regular routes.