Dozens Of Downtown Residents Left With Totaled Cars And No Power After Water Main Break

CBS St. Louis

May 13, 2021

Tuesday's water main break in downtown St. Louis left water up to the ceiling, dozens of cars submerged, and even more residents without power. Early Tuesday, a water main broke on Lucas and Tucker, sending thousands of gallons of rushing water down Lucas' back alley, flooding apartment garages and basements. "You can see what power water has. It got everywhere in the car. There's standing water still in the cup holders," Mike Booker explained. Booker is a tenant at one of the Loft Apartments that had significant flooding in its underground garages. Bogan Lofts, McGowan Lofts, and Warehouse 7 Lofts all saw flooding in underground levels Tuesday. On Wednesday, residents were finally able to get to their cars, at least 30 of which were totaled from the water line break. "You could see cars were moved around in the garage. All this storage stuff has been completely thrown around," Booker explained. News 4's Julia Avery was inside of a parking garage that flooded as a result of a water main break Tuesday. “I had to stay with a friend last night on the couch, which is whatever, it’s not that big of a deal, but it’s just kinda annoying. I’ve only lived here for a month," said Chance Caudillo, who lives at Warehouse 7 lofts. Caudillo said the water level has gone down, but the smell left behind has crept all the way up to his 7th floor loft. More than 30 residents' cars were totaled. All of them are now wondering who will pay for the damage. “I’ve been having to take Ubers and I got to travel like 20 miles to work and Ubers are kind of expensive so I got those expenses racking up,” said Jason Emming, who has spent over 100 dollars on Uber just getting to and from work. According to a Missouri Statute called "Sovereign Immunity," the City of St. Louis is not responsible for any damages that happened Tuesday because of the water main break.