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Bethesda Water Main Break Strands DC Commuters from Maryland

by Dave Keating | December 23, 2008 at 06:55 am

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A Bethesda water main break has caused major flooding and has stranded morning commuters from the Maryland suburb.

According to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission the pipe that burst was a 66-inch water main at an intersection between River Road and Fenway Drive, a major commuter route to DC. Several commuters were airlifted to safety and the flooding continues to wreak havoc in the area.

The cause of the water main break is still unknown but water service to at least 100 homes in the area between Bradley Boulevard and Seven Locks Road has been cut off. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission is advising customers that the main break has not caused a health and safety issue and that the water is safe to drink.

Crews scrambled to rescue motorists stranded in at least four feet of rushing water unleashed by a massive water main break early Tuesday just outside Washington, D.C.

Television images showed two people in a minivan climbing into a basket that was lowered from a helicopter flying overhead. A boat also was being used as rescuers attempted to reach motorists in the frigid water.

Montgomery County fire department spokesman Pete Piringer said at least a dozen people had been rescued from their vehicles as crews struggled with the swift water to reach more cars. No injuries were reported.