A water main broke in Seattle’s U-Village near the University of Washington on Tuesday, forcing officials to try and close the U-District viaduct, according to reports. Streets and a nearby parking lot were flooded.
KOMO reported that 45th Street and 25th Ave have been closed due to water gushing out of the viaduct, which is located on 45th.
Reports said that the university and the Children’s Hospital have both been evacuated.
Officials say there are concerns that the water break could weaken the viaduct.
KIRO-7 posted a photo, showing water gushing out of the ground and onto the street and sidewalk. Other photos uploaded on Twitter show a flooded parking lot.
The Seattle Fire Department asked police to shut down the viaduct because the water leak could be undermining a nearby support column, said KOMO.
A witness told KIRO that there are people “parked beside [the] BlueC Sushi” restaurant who are “trapped” near the flooded parking lot.
An alert was sent out to students at the University of Washington about the main break and flooding.
Seattle Fire spokesman Kyle Moore told the Seattle Times that a vacuum truck is on the scene and is mopping up water. He said there could be damage done to nearby businesses, electrical lines, and sprinkler system.s
Story is developing; check back for updates later.
