ORLANDO, Fla. — Flooding at an apartment complex off International Drive was caused by a broken reclaimed water pipe, says Orange County Utilities.
- Reclaimed water pipe floods complex
- Orange Co. Utilities calls it an 'isolated incident'
- 60 people evacuated as a precaution
- Repairs expected to be finished by Thursday
According to Orange County Fire Rescue, the incident happened at I-Drive and Meadow Bend Loop between Citi Lakes and Mission Club apartments.
The reclaimed water pipe is 24 inches, which fire rescue says produced "significant water.”
Officials told Spectrum News that construction workers in the area were putting down bore lines in the sidewalk when they hit the reclaimed water line.
Officials say there was significant flooding to four first-floor units at one building, with several inches of water inside the apartments. There are reportedly 20 apartment units in the three-story building.
On social media, OFCR said power was turned off for the whole building as a safety precaution.
Fire rescue officials also say 60 people total from the building were evacuated.
The complex is reportedly assisting residents, says OFCR.
"I came home, and I saw that everything was like this, and I thought, 'Oh a water main must have been busted,' but it's a whole lot more than that," said Nokia Burdine, who lived in the flooded building on the third floor.
Orange County Fire Rescue says they will stay on scene until the water is shut off and will make sure the hydrants in the area have proper pressure.
Orange County Utilities says they have slowed the water pipe release and that repairs should begin Wednesday evening. Repairs are expected to be completed sometime Thursday.
No word yet on the amount of water released, but they said no customers should experience any change in service as a result of what they call an isolated incident.
There were no injuries were reported.
Reporter Bailey Myers contributed to this story.