Clean-up efforts underway after 2 water main breaks in Hamilton

Clean-up efforts are underway after two water main breaks in Hamilton sent water flooding through streets, stalling commutes Friday morning.

Residents in the area of Burgess Avenue in the city’s east end reported first hearing the gush of water outside, and some in their basements, around 3 a.m.

Photos from the area show extreme flooding reaching up past car tires and even flooding into some cars parked outside overnight.

Crews remained in the area throughout much of the morning conducting repairs and cleaning up as much of the damage as possible.

It will be a long road for some neighbours, though, who say the city has differed to insurance brokers to fund any repairs to homes and cars damaged by the break.

READ MORE: Hamilton Water crews work to repair water main break near Queenston Traffic Circle

Elham Hamouda says flood water has filled both her basement and backyard. She got in contact with the city, who told her to get in touch with her insurance.

“We called the city,” she said. “We asked about the backyard. They said that insurance is supposed to come to solve this problem and that’s it.”

One neighbour says this isn’t the first time a break has happened in the area and with the extreme cold, he was anticipating another incident soon.

A second break was reported in the area of Upper Wentworth Street and Stone Church Road just before 7 a.m.

Police cars have blocked off Upper Wentworth heading northbound from the intersection as city crews work to salt the roads.

READ MORE: Repairs underway after water main break in Hamilton on Sunday

Hamilton police say the weather conditions created slick roads in the wake of the break with the water quickly freezing and then being covered by snow, making it difficult to see.

Officers say there were no collisions reported, though they did report seeing multiple close calls due to the icy roads.

The area is expected to remain closed as crews work to make the roads safe for those commuting in the area.

Friday’s water main breaks follow a series of similar incidents throughout the city last November. Three separate breaks were reported between Nov. 13 and 24, damaging streets and properties as water flooded affected streets.

The city has yet to comment on the recurring breaks and whether steps will be taken to mitigate future incidents.

READ MORE: Water main break flooded Hamilton’s Kirkendall neighbourhood