FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Crews are making repairs in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood hours after a driver took out a fire hydrant, causing water to flood an entire street.
The incident occurred in front of a home in the area of Riverland Road and 14th Street, at around 4 p.m., Wednesday.
Video recorded by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue captured a white Mercedes-Benz with significant front-end damage apparently stuck at the spot where it struck the fire hydrant, as water continued to gush onto the street.
7SkyForce HD flew over the scene where the water could be seen pouring into the street from where the seal of the fire hydrant was broken by the car.
Aerial cameras also showed the white Mercedes-Benz with significant front-end damage.
The driver of that car is believed to have fled the scene of the crash on foot, leaving the vehicle involved behind. Police believe there was a passenger inside the sedan who also fled.
Fort Lauderdale Public Works crews responded, located the shut-off valve and were able to stop the flow of water.
The flooding extended for about a block and a half.
Water flowed into the roadway for nearly an hour, but since there has been no rain in the area for days, it receded quickly.
Area resident Teresa Elrod said she was driving home from work when she found the intersection she usually crosses completely blocked.
“I have no idea what happened. I just saw the helicopters,” she said. “Then I pulled in, and then I saw this. Oh, this looks like it’s over by house, and it’s on the street.”
“I just want to know if I can get home, to be honest,” said Elrod.
Officials said the hydrant works off an offshoot line, firefighters said, so water service in the area was not affected.
“At least it’s just a fire hydrant, though. It could have been worse,” said Elrod.
The resident said she was afraid floodwaters would go into her apartment, but that did not happen.
The Mercedes-Benz was later towed away from the scene.
Riverland Road remained closed to traffic between 13th and 14th streets at 10 p.m. while crews continued working on repairs. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes.
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