A water main break has shut down Connecticut Avenue south of Dupont Circle.
DC Water officials say they expect to reopen Connecticut Avenue within an hour, but N Street will likely remain closed until 8 or 9 p.m. Thursday.
The line broke under N Street around 5:30 a.m., causing water to flow under Connecticut Avenue where it surfaced.
DC Water spokesman Alan Heymann said several buildings have been evacuated and there have been reports of property damage from flooding.
He recommends avoiding the area if possible as traffic builds up, but expects things to be running smoothly by the afternoon commute.
“It’s probably a good idea if you can avoid it, just because it is a little hectic with equipment and people at the moment,” Heymann said. “But I think the scene itself is probably dramatically calmer than it would have been first thing this morning.”
Though the cause of this particular break is unknown, Heymann said the District experiences about 400 breaks a year.
“Typically, water main breaks happen as a result of the age of the pipe itself, as a result of the weather,” he said.
