Residents of a Sherman Oaks neighborhood were left dealing with the aftermath of a hit-and-run driver who crashed into a fire hydrant, causing it to shear and sending thousands of gallons of water gushing into the street. The incident occurred on the 3900 block of Woodcliff Road, located above Valley Vista and Sepulveda boulevards, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Los Angeles City firefighters were immediately called to the scene and discovered a muddy mess caused by the sheared fire hydrant. Crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power were called in to turn off the water and power as the water was hitting power lines in the area.
The force of the water caused a debris flow, sending mud straight down the hill and flooding homes in the area. A backyard and basement office were among the properties affected, causing concern about hillside erosion.
“We did have some hillside erosion from the water flow. We do have building and safety en route to this location, and they will determine if that erosion will affect the structures here,” said LAFD Battalion Chief Logan Fields.
The incident was worsened by the fact that the driver responsible for the crash fled the scene, leaving residents and officials to deal with the aftermath. The Los Angeles City Fire Department is urging anyone with information about the driver to come forward.
As the neighborhood works to recover from the flooding, officials are emphasizing the importance of safe driving and taking responsibility for one’s actions on the road. The incident serves as a reminder of the impact that even seemingly small accidents can have on communities and the environment.
