Water Main Break on 71st Street

 

I was puttering around the apartment last Sunday morning when I happened to glance out the window and  I saw a man doing something weird.  (Yes, I know.  It's NYC.  Isn't everyone weird?  Yes, they are.) 

 

But this guy on the left was recording the downtown view with his phone.  And then he stooped to record what appeared to be the garbage on the side of the street.  So that qualifies as weird even in NYC.  (You think I might have noticed the river of snow and garbage floating at his feet.)

 

 

So, I did what humans are programmed to do.  I looked at what he was looking at.  This was the first thing I saw.  The corner of First Avenue and 74th Street was totally flooded.  After telling Edward to come take a look, I got my camera and started shooting.

 

Of course the next question was - where was the water coming from?  When I looked downtown I could see that it was coming from 71st Street.  Manhattan is not flat.  And one of the small hills on the Upper East Side crests at 71st street, which is why the water was running downhill toward us and pooling at what was clearly the low point in the area.  

 

The troops had been called in, and I could see a couple of fire trucks and one emergency vehicle in the distance. 

 

Of course people were milling about taking photos and videos.  We have been locked in our tiny apartments for months and are pretty hard up for entertainment at this point.  But luckily for us, First Avenue always delivers!

 

  

Meanwhile cars approaching the cross street had a problem.  They all chose to give it a shot, albeit slowly, and I am pleased to report that they all made it through.

 

It looks like 72nd Street was also flooded so all the traffic in the neighborhood slowed down for a bit.  Especially the traffic below 71st Street.

 

Because at some point the original rescue team had been joined by a flood of others and the street filled with the color red and flashing lights.  It was very dramatic.  

 

Once the team got the break sealed they moved uptown to inspect the damage.  73rd was in good shape. 

 

But then they got to 74th street.  The flood appeared to be about ankle deep so not too bad.

 

  

But it was not going to go away unless the drains on the corner were cleared of garbage and snow.  So that was the next step.  Eventually it started to drain.  But things didn't really get back to normal until the snow melted entirely a few days later.

 

 

Such is life in the big city. 

 

Cheers!

PJ

 

(c) 2020 PJ Lehrer