BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — More than a dozen people were rescued from up to four feet of frigid waters after a major water main break flooded the area of Hertel Avenue and Military Road in North Buffalo Wednesday night.
The flash flooding happened about 8:45 p.m. after a 36-inch pipe broke underground, Mayor Sean Ryan told reporters at a late-night news conference. The Buffalo Fire Department's water rescue team pulled 10 people from vehicles and rescued several others from an NFTA bus that became stuck in an 18-inch-wide sinkhole.
First responders also rescued a small number of people from the nearby Jasper Parrish Apartments. No one was injured, Ryan said.
WATCH: More than a dozen rescued after major water main break floods several blocks in Buffalo
The flooding extended several blocks, from Chandler Street to the south, Lawn Avenue to the north, and east toward the Jasper Parrish complex.
Several NFTA buses were brought to the area to be used as temporary warming centers.
Crews from Buffalo Water Authority and Buffalo Sewer Authority have been assessing potential further damage. Neighbors may experience lower-than-normal water pressure but that will only be temporary, Ryan said.
Three Buffalo Public Schools - Grabiarz School of Excellence, West Hertel Academy, and Riverside Academy, will have a remote day of learning on Thursday due to the water main break. The area of Military and Hertel will be closed to traffic until further notice.
"Due to water main breaks in the vicinities of William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence PS 79, West Hertel Academy PS 94, and Riverside Academy PS 208, they will have a remote day of learning on Thursday, February 5.
All students are to stay home and to engage in a remote day of instruction. Teachers and students will use platforms such as Schoology, Clever, Teams, and Classroom Dojo.
Staff from these schools are to stay home and conduct remote learning on Thursday."
Ryan said the city has under-invested in infrastructure for years and needs more support from the federal government to make long-term improvements to one of the oldest water main systems in the country.
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