“I got scared, “ he said. Water flowed nearly two miles away, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. (CNN)Hundreds of schools and businesses in Houston remained closed Friday as crews attempt to repair a water main that provides up to half of the city's water. The make-up day will be Monday, June 1. For some, the lack of water meant that toilets could not flush. The University of Houston canceled classes Friday and was distributing water to residents on campus due to the water outage, the university said in a series of tweets. Other common causes include fires and bomb scares. A day after the 8-foot diameter water main pipe burst in east Houston, much of the city remains under a boil-water notice and restaurants without water were ordered to cease operations immediately by the city's health department. Please continue to avoid the area near 610 & Clinton Drive in East Houston. The water line carried about 50 percent of the drinking water in Houston, officials said. The City of Houston has LIFTED THE BOIL WATER NOTICE that has been in place since Thursday, February 27, 2020. -The University of Houston will remain closed through Friday, and all university activities are canceled Friday, except for the Cougar baseball game at 6:30 p.m. -The Houston Health Department asks all food-serving establishments without running water or working bathrooms to cease operations until further notice. Water was slowly draining from a highway in east Houston after a water main broke on Thursday. The water main broke near Fidelity and North Carolina streets and "water flowed to 610 South/Ship Channel Bridge" about two miles south of the break, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. What's closed on Friday amid Houston water emergency? BOIL WATER NOTICE: A map provided by the City of Houston shows the areas affected (shaded yellow) in the water advisory after a line break just off the East Loop. The immediate aftermath was a familiar sight — but under blue skies. Water main break triggers widespread disruption in Houston Nicole Hensley and Julian Gill Feb. 27, 2020 Updated: Feb. 28, 2020 12:11 p.m. The break also forced a boil order and closures of schools, restaurants, and medical and social services out of fear for public health. “To conserve water pressure, we have suspended showering and laundry services,” officials said. We are working with TCEQ to approve sampling plan to stop boiling water. As water crept closer to her front door, she could not leave to pick up her three young daughters from their elementary school in Galena Park. Cars submerged after major water main breaks. Drinking water was re-routed to other pipes in the system, and pressure was expected to gradually increase through the night, she said. Repair work likely will start early Friday morning, Jones said. Officials at the University of Houston and Texas Southern University officials had already closed their campuses for Thursday. The city of Houston has lifted the boil water notice. Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement that a contractor "was doing exploratory work" for a city water line project on Thursday when soil was moved from the line and the line burst. Hurricane Delta expected to bring storm surge, strong wind to southeast Texas... Fort Bend commissioners vote to develop body-cam policy for officers. “We do not have running water at all our locations. Houston Methodist Hospital experienced “low water pressure,” while Texas Children’s Hospital officials reported having had extensive water issues at their Texas Medical Center facilities. “It was a little bit chaotic in the beginning, but we always pull together,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said of the massive emergency response. “This is an example of the need for infrastructure improvements, not just in this city but cities across the board,” he said during a news conference. “This could be one of a few shifts a week that they’re counting on to support their lives, their families,” Cho said. The Harris Health System announced that eight of its outpatient facilities would be closed on Friday. 610 is open. Water main break triggers widespread disruption in Houston, Bill O'Brien argued with J.J. Watt, staff in final weeks with Texans, Editorial: We recommend Dan Crenshaw in U.S. House District 2, Harris County cannot send mail ballot applications to all voters, Texas Supreme Court rules, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate MJ Hegar voted against Obama twice, Houston’s Johnny Nash, who recorded ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ dies. Jones said the boil order would remain active until further notice. “When you’re dealing with an aging infrastructure, you’re going to have these main line breaks. “Today’s water line break is a reminder of the aging infrastructure that Houston and other major cities face as we work to make improvements each day,” Turner said in a statement. It wasn’t a storm that brought parts of Houston to a halt Thursday, but a city-owned pipe that busted open, crippling water pressure for thousands. The East Loop was expected to reopen late Thursday after Texas Department of Transportation workers cleaned debris. It's unclear how long the city will be under the boil water notice, but Turner said the repairs will probably continue through the weekend. The deluge crimped her plans for the day. And in some cases, they are major arteries and can cause major disruption.”. That declaration is usually made when hospitals lose electricity or water in the building, he said. It broke open just before noon when a city contractor began digging to repair a “gradual leak” on the water line near Clinton Drive and Loop 610 East, officials said, causing water to bubble onto the neighboring highway. @FireChiefofHFD pic.twitter.com/ulXuTcjxrl. Late Thursday, Harris County advised utility districts and county water providers to test their water “to ensure the safety of the water supply.”. On Thursday, firefighters in boats and high-water vehicles rescued at least three drivers when water spewing from the broken main submerged some freeways and streets in east Houston, the fire department said. Additional calls were rejected and the firm’s website was later inaccessible. America Vega lives in the Pleasantville neighborhood within feet of the water main break. “Meals will be served on disposable trays to reduce the need for dish-washing.”. -The Houston Independent School Districtclosed all schools and offices Friday, Feb. 28. Water from a broken water main in east Houston flooded part of Interstate 610 on Thursday. The repairs on the 96 inch line is continuing. Jones said the pipe stems from the East Water Purification Plant, roughly 3 miles east of the break. Candidates for Fort Bend sheriff stress community outreach, body cams for... Police: Couple accused of dumping 2-year-old’s body in drain. Copyright © 2020 KTRK-TV. Water Main Break & Water Safety. “This is just as impactful and devastating as (Hurricane) Harvey, or any other natural disaster we’ve been through. Hundreds of schools and businesses in Houston remained closed Friday as crews attempt to repair a water main that provides up to half of the city's water. Her sister picked them up and delivered them to the backyard, where Vega hoisted them over the fence while standing atop an overturned trash can. Lack of water was a growing problem at Houston’s medical hub. She called 911 for a rescue, he said, but the water eventually stopped flowing. At one point, officials declared an “internal disaster” at some hospitals in the medical center, including Memorial Hermann, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, according to Dr. David Persse, Houston’s local health authority and medical director of the city’s EMS program. Water quality testing submitted to TCEQ has confirmed that the tap water meets all regulatory standards to drink. “To our knowledge, nothing in our system failed,” TxDOT spokeswoman Raquelle Lewis said. The ensuing rush of water onto Loop 610 East stranded about a dozen motorists, with some taking refuge on the roofs of their cars. Another resident, Jose Guillen, was at work when his wife sent photos of water inching toward their home. There is still a lot or water on the roads. By 8 p.m., water stopped flowing through the broken segment of the pipe and receded from the surrounding area, Houston Public Works spokeswoman Erin Jones said. 'This is the culprit': Photo shows damaged water line, Water main had 20 years of service life left when it burst, East Loop reopens after major water main break flooded freeway. CNN's Melissa Alonso, Dave Alsup and Theresa Waldrop contributed to this report. Health officials warned the lack of pressure could increase the risk of bacteria. Houston Public Works officials identified the contractor involved with the broken pipe as Harper Brothers Construction. “I have to cook and I have to wash dishes and all of that,” said Vega, a stay-at-home mom. Memorial Hermann spokesman Drew Munhausen said some of the system’s hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and TIRR Memorial Hermann, were “experiencing water issues” and others were fine. A woman who answered the phone for the Houston-based company put a reporter on hold for 10 minutes before disconnecting the line. Beyond restaurants, the water pressure at the Harris County Jail was coming to a worrisome crawl and authorities were “exploring the use of portable toilets” for inmates. Mayer Sylvester Turner pointed to “aging infrastructure” as the primary catalyst for the chaos. All Rights Reserved. Texas bars can reopen, but decision up to county judges, Harris Co. judge Lina Hidalgo says bars will not open, Pence, Harris spar vigorously over COVID-19 in VP debate, Couple's car hit with gunfire as they left Med Center, Johnny Nash used ranch for community outreach, Lake Charles scrambling to prepare for Hurricane Delta, Parties at home owned by DeAndre Hopkins bothering neighbors, Houston renters still waiting on rent relief, Trump casts his infection as 'blessing' in fight against COVID-19, All 3 bodies recovered from building collapse rubble, RELATED: Don't just drink your water once advisory is lifted, here's what to do, Water line break impacting up to 50 percent of Houston, Massive water main break impacts Houston traffic, Expert tips on what to do if your car floods. “Because the first thing that comes to your mind is your kids and your wife.”. Jay R. Jordan, Matt Dempsey, Sarah Smith, Dug Begley and Todd Ackerman contributed. “It was just inundated.”. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The test results from the water main break came back clean and the boil water order has been lifted, according to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. - A boil water notice has been issued for the City of Houston’s main water system, -The city asks anyone in need of assistance to call 3-1-1 or email waterquality@houstontx.gov. The pipe responsible for the boil order was installed 35 years ago. Houston has lifted the boil water notice that has been in place since Thursday evening. State district judge rules part of Houston’s pension reform is... Turner says he supports 'almost all' of task force's HPD reforms. At Rosies Cannonball on Westheimer, a backup water supply kicked in, but supervisors erred on the side of caution and stopped serving lunch, employee Peru Flores said. He was more concerned for his employees, who were unable to work and were sent home. “Any activities that allow for the ingestion of tap water should be avoided and bottled water should be used instead,” the sign continued, citing the brushing of teeth as an example. Emergency rooms at area hospitals were open but outpatient clinics were closed, and non-emergency appointments were being rescheduled.