Bronx News Roundup, Thursday, Aug. 4

Weather: Not too hot today: sunny with some clouds. Unlike last night, it should stay pretty clear through the evening.

Story of the Day:
A second water main break this morning on Jerome Avenue less than a mile away from where last week's was. The Daily News reports that the break occurred around 6 a.m. and was shut off by 7:45 a.m. This break caused far less damage than last week's, but still left two inches of water in the street. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, the two breaks are not related or an indictment of a failing water main system. Nope, simply just a freak coincidence.

Quick Hits:
An elderly priest from Eastchester has been accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl.

Former State Senator Pedro Espada's Bedford Park co-op is still up for sale. The Daily News' Bob Kappstatter reports that Espada may be getting desperate to sell his former home with the beginning of his federal trial for embezzlement charges looming on Sept. 12 and that the property could be a bargain. Plus, other political tidbits.

Local Businesses Struggle after Bronx Water Main Break

A day after a water main burst under Jerome Ave., businesses were still cleaning up. (J. Bodden)

Editor's Note: A spokesman for Small Business Services, which is aiding merchants in the recovery effort, said there will be a recovery meeting for business owners and other concerned parties tomorrow, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m., at Davidson Community Center, 2038 Davidson Avenue.

By Justin Bodden

A little more than twenty-four hours after a water main break left Jerome Avenue in Mt. Hope submerged under tens of thousands of gallons of water, some businesses were still cleaning up, working diligently to get every last drop of water out. Others were busy on the phones talking to their insurance companies, looking to receive compensation for damages.

Today, almost a week later, local businesses in the Mt. Hope are still struggling to clean-up and survive after a 108-year-old water main burst early last Wednesday morning near the corner of East 177th Street.

The cause of the main rupture is still under investigation, but Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Michael Saucier said in an e-mail that age alone did not cause the pipe to burst.

Local merchants who lived through it said the flooding created total chaos.

Bronx News Roundup, July 27

Story of the Day: Jerome Avenue Flood Update

The AP reports that the floods from this morning's massive water main break on Jerome Avenue have started to recede. And though the MTA website says No. 4 train service is suspended between 167th Street and Bedford Park Blvd., there were no trains going to Mosholu Parkway or Woodlawn, either, at least not during my morning commute. An MTA service update now says there are shuttle buses running.

Some video footage:


A BxNN reader says she had no running water at her home on E. 162nd and Grand Concourse; another woman I chatted with this morning said the water was waist-deep on 176th Street, and she put plastic bags over her legs to walk up the road. 

Quick Hits:

The U.S. Postal Service could close as many as 17 post office locations in the Bronx because of funding losses (a plan many are protesting, as we reported last week.) The Bronx closures account for more than half  of the locations on the chopping block list. Another office in Crotona Park was already shuttered this spring.

Here's a full list of the USPS spots that could close.

Huge Water Main Break Floods Jerome Ave.

A massive water main break in Mount Hope this morning has flooded a portion of Jerome Avenue and surrounding side streets, around 177th Street, NBC is reporting.

Check out the video at the link--we're not talking about a little leak here--the streets are completely washed out and water is practically covering some parked cars.

Because of the break, the MTA says riders should expect delays on the 4 line, and there will be no service in both directions between the 167th Street Station and the Bedford Park Boulevard-Lehman College Station. Delays are also posted for the BX1, BX2, BX3, BX18, BX32, BX36, BX40, BX42 and BXM4 buses.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more.