Water Main Break Floods Philadelphia Parking Garage

Several vehicles remain submerged in standing water more than 12 hours after the incident.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A water main break in Philadelphia caused major flooding in a parking garage, leaving several vehicles stranded in standing water. The flooding was first reported around 4 p.m. on Saturday, with water reaching several inches high throughout the structure by 5:20 p.m. As of Sunday morning, some vehicles were still surrounded by large pools of water, though tow trucks had arrived to help remove some of the impacted cars.

Why it matters

Water main breaks can cause significant property damage and disruption, especially in urban areas with dense infrastructure. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining aging water systems and the need for quick response and recovery efforts when such failures occur.

The details

The flooding was caused by an 8-inch water main break on the 1600 block of Callowhill Street. The Philadelphia Water Department responded and shut down the main at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, but work to fully repair the break is still ongoing. Officials have not yet provided details on how many vehicles were impacted or when owners will be able to access their cars.

  • The flooding was first reported around 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • By 5:20 p.m. on Saturday, the water had reached several inches high throughout the parking garage.
  • The Philadelphia Water Department shut off the 8-inch water main at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Philadelphia Water Department

The municipal agency responsible for the city's water infrastructure, which responded to the water main break and shut off the affected line.

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What they’re saying

“Several vehicles are still surrounded by water more than 12 hours after a flood started filling a parking garage in Philadelphia this weekend.”

— Greg Payne, FOX 29 Reporter (FOX 29)

What’s next

The Philadelphia Water Department has scheduled repairs for the water main break on Sunday, but it is unclear how long it will take to fully pump out the remaining water from the parking garage and allow vehicle owners to access their cars.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to unexpected failures, and the need for proactive maintenance and emergency response plans to mitigate the impacts of such events on local communities.