Update: PA American Water mobilizes contractor for Scranton water main break

SCRANTON — As of 5 p.m., Pennsylvania American Water is mobilizing a contractor to begin repair of a water main break that flooded an area of Scranton and closed multiple street, Emergency Management Coordinator John Judge said.

PA American Water responded to a large water main break which closed traffic from North Washington Avenue to Madison Avenue, Myrtle Street to Ash Street and the 400 block of South Street, called in about 12:30 p.m.

At 1:15 p.m., Emergency Management Coordinator John Judge said PA American Water crews had just arrived at the scene and were being assisted by the city’s Department of Public Works.

Judge said the situation was still being evaluated. He emphasized that any repairs necessitated by the break would be the responsibility of PA American Water.

In addition to responding the the water main break, first responders were also called to numerous emergency alarms set of in residences as a result of the break.

As of 2:45 p.m., PA American Water seemed to have not yet located the source of the water main break.

“Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to isolate the location of the leak,” they said in statement.