On Wednesday, October 26, shortly after 6 a.m., a semi- truck hit a fire hydrant near McDowell and 21st Avenue resulting in a massive flood of the entire street. No one was injured as a result of the crash.

Utility crews and police were on the scene right away. The city’s water service department was able to turn off the valve attached to the fire hydrant so that crews could begin repairs to the hydrant. Although the streets were not fully closed down, drivers were advised to avoid the area as much as possible.

“Westbound traffic on McDowell was still reduced to one lane after noon Wednesday while Water Department workers repaired the damage”, said Stephanie Bracken, a spokeswoman for the Phoenix Water Department. “The westbound lanes were flooded and were reduced to using only one lane. The eastbound lanes were also affected by the flood, but were not required to be closed off.

Workers from the utility crews stated that while there was lots of water that led to a massive flood, there was no damage to adjacent businesses. The main water supply to customers was not affected by the flooding. Local businesses were allowed to remain open as long as their entrance was able to be safely accessed during the repairs.

It only took a few hours for the hydrant to be repaired, and the water to recede. The streets were then able to be reopened for both east and westbound traffic.