Water main break causes flooding, property damage in Melrose area

A water main break damaged several businesses Monday morning after flooding an area off Melrose Avenue.

A passerby called 911 to report flooding in the 600 block of Formosa Avenue shortly after 3:45 a.m., according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was notified about the flooding around 4 a.m. and turned off water to the area shortly afterward, affecting about 30 homes and a number of commercial businesses.

There was no information immediately available about what caused the issue with the 12-inch water line, said a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power spokesperson.

Traffic will be closed on Formosa Avenue from Melrose Avenue to Clinton Street throughout the day. LADWP expect to have services restored to its customers by 6 p.m.

An employee with Bellas Bakery on Melrose Avenue who declined to give their name said the business was only serving pastries Monday due to the flood. The water from the flood did not reach their kitchen, but water did make it to the front of the business, the employee said.

The issue did not appear to be widespread, as other nearby businesses did not report any impact to their operations.