Water Main Break in Midway District

Trying to find a parking spot in the Midway District's Loma Square strip mall is difficult even on a good day, with businesses such as Starbucks, Einstein's Bagels, and Jamba Juice occupying storefronts. But there was no parking at all on the afternoon of September 27, when a 12-inch water main reportedly broke at around 4 p.m.

Businesses were inundated and at least 25 first-level motel rooms at the nearby Super 8 were filled with mud and murky water, the motel manager told Channel 6 News. In fact, the entire parking lot was knee-deep under water until City of San Diego work crews arrived at around 5 p.m. and shut off water service in order to prepare for repairs.

10News reported that police provided traffic control at the scene, but the halted traffic backed up on Rosecrans Street all the way to North Evergreen Street. Patrons trying to access or exit the strip mall were also stuck in the traffic snarl.

City of San Diego Water Department spokesperson Arian Collins told reporters that repairs were expected to be completed by midnight.