Photo by Shelley Hanson Water from a 14-inch waterline break rushes against an old metal utility pole at Eighth and Main streets in North Wheeling Sunday afternoon.
WHEELING: North Wheeling looked like it was going through a small river Sunday afternoon after a 14-inch water main broke, deforming the pavement at Eighth and Main streets and forcing street closures.
Wheeling Fire Department Assistant Chief Paul Harto said a section of homes closest to Eighth and Main streets did not have water service, but he did not believe any water entered the basements of any homes.
“It’s a 14-inch main that goes down Eighth Street connecting to a 14-inch main that goes down the east side of Main Street,” Harto said.
Main Street is expected to remain closed overnight Sunday, while Eighth Street remains closed indefinitely.
The City of Wheeling Water Department was busy looking for the correct water valves to close to stop the flow of water. Then the West Virginia Department of Highways was going to clear the debris from the street, which included the pavement, the bricks underneath the pavement that were also washed away, along with a lot of mud and sediment.
The breach occurred around 12:40 p.m. Harto said when it first happened the water was much deeper in some places, up to a few feet deep.
He estimated that it may be a few days before water service is restored.
In addition to dealing with the wreck, Harto and other firefighters had to make sure motorists stayed out of the area. Despite having roadblocks and traffic cones blocking the area, there were still some motorists who ignored the safety measures and tried to drive along Carrer Major.
A woman moved a couple of cones so she could drive to park in front of her North Wheeling home. He was carrying groceries to his house. Another pickup truck driver also ignored the cones to park in front of a house, but then turned around and drove away shortly after.
Two other vehicles began traveling north on Main Street and then realized they could go no further due to the damaged road and turned around.
Due to the damage and water, motorists were unable to reach the Interstate 70 westbound exit from North Wheeling. The westbound I-70 exit in downtown Wheeling was also blocked inside the Wheeling Tunnel.
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