Extreme Cold Causes Water Main Breaks, Slippery Roads in Dayton

Crews respond to flooding and ice in a Dayton neighborhood as temperatures plummet.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Extreme cold temperatures in Dayton, Ohio led to a water main break near the intersection of Burkhardt and Hayden Avenues on Tuesday night, resulting in several inches of water across a freezing road. Dayton city crews were on the scene blocking off the area, as residents dealt with slippery sidewalks and disrupted water service in the neighborhood.

Why it matters

The extreme cold weather conditions in Dayton have created hazardous situations, with water main breaks causing flooding and icy roads that pose risks to public safety. This incident highlights the infrastructure challenges cities face during severe winter weather events.

The details

Crews responded to the water main break near the intersection of Burkhardt and Hayden Avenues on Tuesday night, where several inches of water had accumulated across the freezing road. Dayton city crews were on the scene blocking off the area. Residents in the neighborhood reported dealing with slippery sidewalks and disrupted water service due to the break.

  • The water main break occurred on Tuesday night.
  • The Extreme Cold Warning for the region is in effect until noon on Wednesday.

The players

Antonio Garcia

A Dayton resident who had to deal with slippery sidewalks due to the water main break.

Dayton City Crews

Crews that responded to the water main break and blocked off the affected area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's a ton of it, like I said, that's the stuff that got me, I was like, it looks like water, and I go and step on it, and it's like I'm starting to ice skate.”

— Antonio Garcia

What’s next

Crews will continue to monitor the situation and work to repair the water main break as temperatures remain dangerously low in the Dayton area.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the challenges cities face in maintaining critical infrastructure during extreme winter weather events, which can disrupt essential services and pose safety risks to residents.