Water Mains Break, Freeze Roads Solid As Cold Refuses To Let Up

BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) -- With three dozen water main breaks reported across Baltimore city and county and sub-freezing temperatures turning that water to ice, the Department of Public Works has issued a 72-hour notice to workers.

WJZ was at the scene of a geyser-like water main break in the 100 block of Garden Ridge Road in Catonsville.

"The basement flooded, I mean our rooms leaking water but just glad that we're OK," resident Katheryn Compton said.

" Look what its doing to these people homes this is a disgrace. I know this is happening all over the place but I think this is a priority when its effecting people's homes," one woman said.

"I think we're all a bit anxious for when this is all going to end," resident Mike McClellan said. "I think they're dealing with it as quickly as they can."

"It's gorgeous but I'm glad we're OK. Stressful as it was, at least this part of it is over cause I know then of course there is fixing all of the leaks and all of that. Thank God for insurance," Rebecca Johnson said.

DPW has responded to the scene and says they turned off the water shortly after 9 p.m. They are not sure how many homes will be effected.

There will be mandatory, 12-hour overtime shifts without leave beginning Friday.

Frozen over intersections in the city include Greenmount and North avenues in East Baltimore; Lombard and South Wolfe streets in Upper Fells Point and 25th and St. Paul streets in Charles Village.

WJZ was on the scene of the Fells Point break, where locals say a leak has actually been a burden for weeks.

Cars are trapped under ice, and residents say just walking is treacherous.

"Came down last night to go home and my car is completely covered in ice, can't move it," Lauren Towles said.

Department of Public Works spokeswoman Jennifer Combs said Monday night that workers were tackling the repairs to around 28 breaks in Baltimore City and Baltimore County in order of severity. She said the cold snap exacerbated an already stressed infrastructure.

Combs also said the department is only responsible for outdoor water lines up to and including the meter. Homeowners are responsible for water lines leading from the meter to the residence.

In Baltimore County, an eight-inch main break broke on Tuesday morning on Margarette Avenue and Post Boy Court. Officials say 30 customers and two hydrants are out of service there.

Thirty-five outages were reported after a break in the 3000 block of Beverly Road in the Beverly Hills neighborhood in Northeast Baltimore.

"I know that there is everybody that are patiently waiting for our crews to get there, some of them are waiting a bit longer, but I can assure you that we are working, we are working around the clock as quickly as we can," said Rudolph Chow of the Department of Public Works.

Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook

(TM and Copyright 2017 CBS and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)