Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Photos: A 15-Foot Wide Sinkhole And Other Damage Caused By The Flooding At UCLA

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.

Crews are still cleaning up the mess at UCLA after a 93-year-old water main burst on Tuesday afternoon, flooding the campus and even causing a 15-foot wide sinkhole on Sunset Boulevard.

Authorities were alerted about the flooding on the 10600 block of Sunset Boulevard around 3:30 p.m., and the water continued to inundate the campus until crews were able to shut down the main at about 7 p.m., according to the L.A. Times. There were about 8 to 10 million gallons of water that gushed out of the 30-foot geyser that shot up from the burst pipe.

Five of the structures were flooded, as well as the school's basketball facility Pauley Pavillion (which had recently gone through a $136 million renovation), the John Wooden Center, and two parking structures, reported the L.A. Daily News. The L.A. Fire Dept. saved five people who were trapped in their cars from the flood. People were walking through pools of water throughout campus.

There was a 15-foot wide sinkhole on Sunset Boulevard, and the road was closed between Hilgard and Veteran avenues, reported KTLA. “We will not see Sunset Boulevard opened up today,” said Jamie Moore, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. “The DWP’s been working all night long … trying to remove the water, but we do still have water coming through that 30-inch pipe — it’s a huge pipe.

Sponsored message

As for the students attending the school, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said classes would still continue today.

Here are some photos and video of the flooding and damage it caused:

Sponsored message

Update 11:18 a.m.: According to City News Service, Sunset Boulevard near UCLA is not expected to be reopened until at least Friday. Crews have not been able to begin repairing the area because they are still working on completely stopping the valves from leaking water.

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Chip in now to fund your local journalism

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right