Ardmore water main break impacts businesses, damages vehicles and apartments

Saturday, November 4, 2023
Water erupts from street in Ardmore after water main break
Ardmore water main break impacts businesses, damages vehicles and apartments

ARDMORE, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Viewer video shows a rush of water shooting from the street and onto a nearby building after a water main break on Friday in Ardmore.

It happened along Cricket Street between Lancaster and Athens avenues just before noon.

"I've seen a lot, but nothing like this," said Kimberly Divinney-Bell who is a bartender at McCloskey's in Ardmore. "We went out and it was just like a big waterfall and a lot of pebbles flying up in the air."

Aqua Pennsylvania said at least 25 people were impacted.

Water erupts from street in Ardmore after water main break

"I feel bad for the people whose cars were damaged (and) the apartments upstairs," said Divinney-Bell. "Hopefully, they can get them fixed quickly because it does get cold at night."

The rocks shattered windows on two vehicles, and they flew high enough to break two apartment windows.

Another apartment has water damage.

Meanwhile, McCloskey's Tavern had to close for most of the day.

"Friday is one of our busiest lunches, and I feel bad for the people who did work today, but we'll make it up. The good comes with the bad," said Divinney-Bell.

The restaurant usually serves 80 lunches, but on Friday afternoon they served zero.

Across the street at Free Will Collective, Angelos saw a drop in customers, too.

"It's unfortunate to not have some walk-by traffic, but it made me feel better to see it got cleaned up quickly," said Angelos.

Crews repaired the pipes, patched the road, and turned the water back on just after 4 p.m.

"They did a good job. They were on it immediately," said Divinney-Bell. "We'll see how it goes tonight. Hopefully, we'll get some business back."

The Aqua spokesperson said they're in contact with the car and homeowners to get their properties fixed.