ATLANTA — Update: Water has been restored to the area, according to officials.
---
Atlanta city officials are currently on the scene of two water main breaks and a gas leak near Colonial Homes Drive Northwest and Peachtree Road.
According to the Department of Watershed Management (DWM), water services will be temporarily disrupted for residents and businesses in the area as crews work to repair the water mains. Officials say the outage is currently affecting eight apartment complexes, 10 homes, and seven hydrants. However, residents believe there are way more people affected.
Nelson Irabor said he noticed the muddy mess early Sunday morning.
"I would say about 8 o'clock this morning," Irabor said. "I took my dog out for a walk and realized there was a puddle of water just flooding all the way down."
Residents shared videos on social media of water gushing into Colonial Homes Circle. What happened next was a Christmas Eve morning that resident Brianna Thompkins wasn't hoping for.
"At first, the water pressure was very low, but throughout the day, we just stopped getting water completely," Thompkins said.
Thompkins said she just moved in at the beginning of the month and had plans for the holiday.
"We're getting ready to go to a gathering, but because, still, obviously, we couldn't shower or anything," Thompkins said. "And so, we had to go to a friend's place."
Thompkins was left with questions Atlanta Watershed hadn't answered by late Sunday night.
"How long will we be without water? How is it going to affect our actual water bills?" Thompkins said.
Crews had to spend their holiday making emergency repairs. One resident told 11Alive's Tresia Bowles that she noticed a hole in the pavement at the end of November. She reported it after it caused her flat tire. Neighbors like her said they'd been seeing the signs long before Sunday. Irabor said he grew up in Atlanta.
"I was annoyed because this road always has issues with water bursting," Irabor said. " So, it's not the first time. It's just the first time it became so dramatic."
He's questioning the infrastructure in the city overall.
"Is the city going to fall through like Lake Lanier?" Irabor said.
Some residents have been without water for over 12 hours.
"When are we going to actually resolve the situation instead of putting a Band-Aid on the situation?" Irabor said.
11Alive confirmed Sunday afternoon that the water main breaks also impacted Piedmont Hospital's water pressure shortly after the break. The department delivered water to the hospital.
A 16-inch main has been shut off to begin making emergency repairs near the 200 block of Colonial Homes Drive.
There is no estimated time of restoration at the moment.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also, download the 11Alive News mobile app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia.