A significant water main break occurred early Friday morning in Cockeysville, flooding York Road and nearby areas, leaving many residents and businesses without water while repair crews worked to contain the situation and initiate emergency repairs.
The incident, involving a 30-inch pipe that ruptured around 9:30 a.m. between Ashland and Shawan roads, transformed the busy Hunt Valley corridor into a flowing stream for several hours. Baltimore City and County officials have stated that there is currently no timeline for restoring water service or access to the road, prompting them to encourage residents north of Shawan Road to conserve water. They are also preparing to distribute bottled water to affected residents.
Witnesses described the scene vividly. Mike Gaunt, who works at Brooks-Huff Tire and Auto Center, noted how quickly the water gushed out, while Samantha Giancola, co-owner of Bagel Works, even called 911 to report the break, stressing the severity of the flooding as it damaged the roadway. Giancola expressed concern for employees who would miss out on income during the closure and urged the community to support local businesses during this challenging time.
Matthew Garbark, the acting director of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, indicated that many homes and businesses within a half-mile radius have lost water service or are experiencing low pressure. The department has not yet determined when repairs will be completed. Once the water line is fixed, the responsibility for repairing the road will fall to Baltimore County, as stated by Lauren Buckler, the county’s public works and transportation director.
He further noted that a water tower servicing the area currently holds water but isn’t being replenished due to the break. Crews have been unable to assess the buried pipe to ascertain the precise cause of the break as of Friday afternoon.
Historical context revealed that the segment of York Road dealt with a significant water main break five years ago that was not as severe. Buckler confirmed that the water infrastructure along this stretch is aging, with plans for full replacement currently in the design phase.
This unfortunate incident underscores the community’s resilience as residents rally to support each other and their local businesses. While the situation is undoubtedly challenging, the cooperative efforts and determination to come together may help to alleviate some of the burdens faced by those affected.