The sinkhole is about 8x10 ft. SFPD says Lake and 6th Ave. closed 'indefinitely'. We're talking days, not hours. pic.twitter.com/QylBILXVWp
— Ryan Takeo (@ryantakeo) December 3, 2014
And the weather-related fun keeps on coming! Now there's a huge sinkhole in the Richmond, which isn't expected to be fully repaired until some time on Thursday.
According to a San Francisco Public Utilities Commission spokesperson, the sinkhole was reported at 9:17 a.m. Wednesday at Sixth Avenue and Lake Street.
Described by NBC Bay Area as "the size of a small swimming pool," the pavement falling from the sinkhole caused a water main break and PG&E gas leak, according to a San Francisco Fire Department dispatcher.
Updated photo of #sinkhole at 6th/Lake in SF. @McCallisterKim reports pavement fell onto lines, causing rupture pic.twitter.com/F52nswmTOG
— KGO Radio (@kgoradio) December 3, 2014
According to Stephanie Chuang (that's her vine of the sinkhole, above), PG&E crews were trying to cut off the leaking gas line even as the broken water main continued to gush.
CBS5 reports that Lake Street is closed between Fifth and Seventh Avenues, as you might have guessed.
View from nearby apartment. Gives better sense of perspective. Hole at least 12x15 ft. pic.twitter.com/tR4qxjRTbY
— Ryan Takeo (@ryantakeo) December 3, 2014
As of noon Wednesday, the sinkhole had grown to 20-by-30-foot hole, but according to an SF PUC spokesperson, it's not expected to get much bigger.
According to the SF PUC's Jean Walsh, sand had eroded around a water main pipe, which then collapsed. At the same time, a storm drain also collapsed in the area.
According to Walsh, crews can't work on both at the same time. Walsh says that first, crews will try to mange the broken water main, "to minimize the number of impacted residents without water." They expect those repairs to take "several hours."
Crews will tackle the collapsed storm drain tonight and will get to the road repairs by some time tomorrow, Walsh says.
Another sinkhole is rumored to be opening at Fillmore and Hayes streets, but a PUC rep couldn't confirm that report at publication.
Another sinkhole said to have appeared on the Bay Bridge this morning was actually just a pothole, CHP Officer Ron Simmons tells SFist. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, it had been repaired, he says.