FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A water main break has left the city of Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas to be without water for 24-36 hours.
The city tweeted that a 42-inch water main was damaged. WPEC in West Palm Beach said a private contractor cut into the water line going to a water treatment facility near the Executive Airport.
The city said people and businesses that get water from Fort Lauderdale should be prepared to be without water for at least a day. Other affected cities include Port Everglades, Oakland Park, Lauderdale By-the-Sea, Sea Ranch Lakes, Tamarac and Wilton Manors.
City officials said more than 220,000 customers could be affected, issuing a boil-water order while warning that taps could run dry. The boil water order is in effect for 48 hours.
Authorities said Thursday evening they had installed a partial patch, causing water pressure to increase. Mayor Dean Trantalis said water began flowing again, but it had not been fully restored.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he had spoken to Mayor Dean Trantalis and Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen to offer assistance. The Florida Division of Emergency Management is sending bottled water to the area, the governor said.
City commissioner Ben Sorensen tweeted to "only use water that is absolutely necessary" and to "please turn off all water for landscaping."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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