By Bonnie Culverhouse
As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, City of Minden workers were still unsure for the reason a street buckled and caused water mains underneath to burst sending a river of water down the road.
Water Superintendent Eric Lee said at the time he was unsure which came first, the buckle or the break.
“At this point, we have no idea how unstable the road is,” Lee said. “People need to avoid this area.”
A number of city trucks were on the scene, and Lee said they would be investigating to determine if perhaps a water main split.
“We are going to see, we might have to shut the water off in this area,” he said. “If we do, there will be a boil advisory for the people who live here. That’s just usual. We just don’t know how bad the problem is, but it’s done a bunch of damage on the road.”
Mayor Nick Cox said that was the case.
“I’m leaning toward the water causing the buckle,” Cox said. “There was a lot of wash out under the asphalt.”
Around 6 p.m., the city had turned off the water in the area.
“This heat will cause many maintenance issues,” Cox added. “Get ready for that.”
“Hydrants in the perimeter are running to help flush,” Cox said. “There will be a boil advisory.”
