Northland water main break leaves behind damage, erosion and growing frustration

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A water main break in Kansas City’s Northland has left behind a deep, water-filled hole, damaged property, and growing concern among residents in the Park Forest neighborhood.

Water began gushing Friday afternoon, and it remains flowing 24 hours later, creating what neighbors describe as a dangerous and rapidly worsening situation.

“It’s absolutely dangerous,” said Rose Blessing, who lives next to the hole. “It’s very frustrating.”

Blessing, who has a two-year-old child, said she’s been trying to keep her family – and others in the neighborhood – away from the area. She used a five-foot wooden post during an interview with KCTV5 to measure the hole’s depth and found that it disappeared completely into the water.

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While the water was initially shut off by city crews, Blessing said water has continued to seep from the area ever since.

“Somebody came out here and they got the water off,” she said. “But ever since then, yesterday, the water has been streaming out in this corner down my yard.”

Since KCTV5 first reported the issue, the situation has worsened for Blessing’s family. She now confirms that water has reached her basement – something she said had only affected her next-door neighbor.

“They’re the ones catching all this water, and it’s in their basement,” Blessing said. “We still have running water, but this neighbor behind us does not.”

Now, both homes are dealing with the aftermath.

In response to the incident, KC Water released the following statement to KCTV5:

“A KC Water supervisor is meeting with the homeowner this afternoon to discuss the situation. KC Water will investigate the issue and what caused the leaks. From there, the issue will be relayed to the city’s law department for review.”

Residents said they’re hoping the source of the damage is fixed, and fast.

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