WASHINGTON - An Adams Morgan neighborhood is getting drenched from above and below this morning, after a major water main burst on Wednesday.

Off and on rain is keeping repair crews from finishing their work. Crews have fixed the broken water main on Florida Avenue, but it could still be some time before traffic returns.

A 100-year-old twenty-inch feeder main broke yesterday, sending water gushing down Florida Avenue between 17th and California Streets NW.

The eruption sent water and mud into nearby basements. "There's mud and sewage all over my carpet," one resident said.

"I woke up with a river of water outside. I was amazed by how much it rippled the cement... It almost remind me of a sort of... earthquake," said one resident.

Chris Ashe is among the residents who'll have to deal with water damage. He's also among the residents who've discovered they are not insured for something like this.

Water and sewer crews say the main appears to have corroded from the outside in. Now there's a new pipe in its place.

Replacing the pipe was an easier job than repairing the damage it caused. The buckled street and pavement will take longer and the continued rain will only make it more difficult.

The water pressure blew out what looks like a cavern underneath the pavement. Today's task will be essentially to fill in that cave and to stabilize the pavement.

The street's stability is a big question. It is still considered too dangerous for cars. This small section of Florida Avenue will remain closed, possibly into the evening rush.

That's disappointing news for the parking garage on the corner. One employee says the garage lost about seventy of its customers who've been scared away by the construction and "road closed" signs.

Crews say their work should be complete by this evening.

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