Major Waterline Break Closes North Wheeling Streets
Shelley Hanson Trending
WHEELING - North Wheeling looked like it had a small river running through it Sunday afternoon after a 14-inch water main broke, buckling the pavement on Eighth and Main streets and forcing the streets' closure.
Wheeling Fire Department Assistant Chief Paul Harto said a section of houses closest to Eighth and Main streets were without water service, but he did not believe any water entered the basements of any homes.
"It's a 14-inch main coming down Eighth Street connecting into a 14-inch main that runs down the eastside of Main Street," Harto said.
Main Street is expected to remain closed throughout Sunday night, while Eighth Street is closed indefinitely.
The City of Wheeling Water Department was busy finding the correct water valves to shut off to stop the flow of water. Then the West Virginia Department of Highways was going to clean up the debris off the street, which included pavement, bricks from underneath the pavement that were washed out as well, along much mud and sediment.
The break occurred about 12:40 p.m. Harto said when it first happened the water was much deeper in places, up to about foot deep.
He estimated it may be a couple days before water service is restored.
In addition to dealing with the break, Harto and other firefighters had to make sure motorists stayed out of the area. Despite having roadblocks and traffic cones blocking the area, there were still some motorists who ignored the safety measures and tried to drive on Main Street.
One woman moved a couple cones so she could drive to park in front of her North Wheeling home. She carried groceries into her house. Another pickup driver also ignored cones to park in front of a home, but then turned around and left shortly after.
Two other vehicles started to drive north on Main Street and then realized they could not go any further because of the damaged road and turned around.
Because of the damage and water motorists could not reach the exit to Interstate 70 westbound from North Wheeling. The I-70 westbound exit to downtown Wheeling also was blocked inside the Wheeling Tunnel.