This story has been updated.

Update at 6:39 p.m. … DeKalb County has issued a “cautionary” boil water advisory. For more information, click here. 

Update at 3:52 p.m. …. A project manager at the scene said a tree near the main break has to be taken down before the main can be repaired. He said “worst case” he hoped to have the repair completed Friday evening, Feb. 2. The county is providing water to customers affected by the main break. The county provided the following update:

A crew continues to work to remove a large tree at the site of a water main break on McLendon Drive.

Once the tree is removed, DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management crews will shore up the approximately 10-foot-deep hole to make it safe for workers to repair the pipe.

Once the hole is made safe, workers will be able to estimate the time needed to make the repair.

The materials needed to make the repairs are onsite.

DeKalb County Watershed has placed a pallet of bottled water near the intersection of McLendon Drive and North Avenue for customers impacted by the water main break.

Residents and businesses may experience periods of low to no water pressure during the repair and motorists should expect delays.

For more information, contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department at 770-270-6243.

DeKalb County will provide updates throughout the repair.

A worker removing a tree on McLendon Drive so crews can repair the water main.

Update at 1:40 p.m. … DeKalb County is still working on repairs. Here’s the latest information from the county: 

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management crews have isolated a water main break on McLendon Drive and stopped the flow of water.

Tree crews are removing a large tree from the site and Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light crews are working to make the area safe so that crews can begin repairs.

DeKalb County Watershed has placed a pallet of bottled water near the intersection of McLendon Drive and North Avenue for customers impacted by the water main break.

Residents and businesses may experience periods of low to no water pressure during the repair and motorists should expect delays.

For more information, contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department at 770-270-6243.

DeKalb County will provide updates throughout the repair.

Here’s a video taken from a home on Vista Brook hours after the break occurred.

Update at 12:40 p.m. …. the county has not provided any additional information. A gas line was ruptured during the repair process and there was a strong smell of gas in the area, but crews have repaired the leak. There is no boil water advisory at this time. 

Update at 12:07 p.m. … All city of Decatur facilities are closed. 

Update at 10:40 a.m. … MARTA says water service has been restored at the affected stations. Here’s the full announcement:

Water has been restored at MARTA rail stations on the Blue Line after a water main break in DeKalb County. Restrooms at the following rail stations have reopened: East Lake, Decatur, Avondale, and Kensington. Follow @MARTAservice on X (Twitter) for real-time updates.

Emory University put out the following advisory:

🚨ALERT🚨
We are aware of a water main break DeKalb County is experiencing at this time. The county is working on repairs. You may notice some slight discoloration to the water as a result of sediment in the line. The campus water supply remains safe to drink and use. pic.twitter.com/cVJ4BcwpM9

— Emory Police (@EmoryPolice) February 2, 2024

Update at 10:31 a.m. … DeKalb County Schools said multiple schools have been affected by the water main break. Here’s the full statement from a school district spokesperson:

Due to a water main break on McLendon Drive, students and staff at five DeKalb County School District (DCSD) schools have been relocated to other DCSD schools while the break is being repaired. Avondale Elementary, DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts, DeKalb School of the Arts, McClendon Elementary, and Robert Shaw Elementary have sent out communications advising parents of the relocation. DCSD is prepared to receive and support students at the accommodating schools, including providing lunches to students.

Update at 10:11 a.m. … Crews on scene have managed to stop the flow of water. Students at nearby McLendon Elementary have been relocated to another school as have students at DeKalb School of the Arts. DeKalb Schools hasn’t sent out any district-wide communications about the issue. 

There is no boil water advisory occurring at this time, but Decaturish is continuing to ask questions about it. 

MARTA sent out the following update: 

A water main break in DeKalb County is affecting restrooms at MARTA rail stations on the Blue Line. Restrooms at the following rail stations are temporarily closed: East Lake, Decatur, Avondale, and Kensington. Restrooms will reopen once water pressure is restored. Follow @MARTAservice on X (Twitter) for real-time updates.

Update at 8:40 a.m. … DeKalb County sent the following alert:

Georgia Power crews are onsite securing a compromised power pole on the 800 block of McLendon Drive so that DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management crews can repair a broken water main.

Additional emergency contractors are enroute to the scene to assist county crews.

Residents and businesses may experience periods of low to no water pressure during the repair and motorists should expect delays.

For more information, contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department at 770-270-6243.

DeKalb County will provide updates throughout the repair.

Avondale Estates City Hall is closed. Numerous businesses report being affected by the outage. City Schools of Decatur has closed. There’s no word from DeKalb County Schools yet.

Here is our previous story …

Scottdale, GA — A water main failed along McLendon Drive, causing water outages throughout the county on Feb. 2.

Homes in the immediate area are also at risk of losing power because the main break is causing a power pole to teeter. Some homes have already lost power. McLendon Drive is currently blocked and traffic is being detoured. City Schools of Decatur sent a message to parents saying there’s low or no water in schools and they’re assessing the situation. While DeKalb County Schools hasn’t sent out any communications, it’s safe to assume other schools are affected.

City Schools of Decatur announced at 8:26 a.m. that schools and offices will be closed on Feb. 2. All athletics and afterschool activities are cancelled as well. The district is asking families to pick up their child if their student is currently at school.

“DeKalb County Watershed Management has informed us of a water main break at the 800 block of McLendon Drive in Scottdale, causing most CSD schools to have no or low water pressure,” a press release from CSD states. “DeKalb County Watershed Management does not have a confirmed time for restoration; however, it is expected to be a minimum of 5 hours. Only two schools currently have pressure, and it is expected that this pressure may also decrease due to the magnitude of the water main break.”

Decaturish is working to find out more information about DeKalb County Schools as well.

DeKalb County sent the following alert:

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management crews are onsite assessing a broken water main on the 800 block of McLendon Drive.

Residents and businesses may experience periods of low to no water pressure during the repair and motorists should expect delays.

For more information, contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department at 770-270-6243.

DeKalb County will provide updates throughout the repair.

The city of Decatur also said in a Facebook post that the city is experiencing low to no water pressure due to the water main break. The city is encouraging residents to report issues to DeKalb County Watershed by calling 770-270-6243.

All recreation centers in Decatur are also closed and programs are cancelled until further notice, according to a social media post from the parks and recreation department.

Leftie Lee’s in Avondale Estates said on Facebook that the bakery is experiencing a water outage. Leftie Lee’s is in the Olive and Pine development, but it’s currently unknown if the other businesses in the development are impacted.

“Good news is we have pastries in the case,” the post says. “Bad news is it seems our area is experiencing a water outage so pastries are all we’ll be able to sell until the water comes back on. Come sell us out! I’ll keep you posted on the rest. Thank you for your understanding.”

Here’s the scene on Vista Brook Drive, just around the corner from the break:

Photo provided to Decaturish

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Here are videos of the break:

DeKalb Watershed and Georgia Power are on the scene. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Assistant Editor Zoe Seiler contributed to this story. 

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