Sink hole opens up in South Salt Lake after water main break

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (KUTV) — Police are asking the public to avoid 3300 South between Main Street and State Street after a water main break left a sinkhole in the roadway.

The South Salt Lake Police Department announced the break just after 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Portions of the street were closed throughout Sunday as crews assessed the damage. Police stated some lane closures could continue into Monday.

"If possible, avoid area and take alternate route," according to police. "Be aware when driving through the area as there are workers trying to resolve the situation."

Authorities are reminding residents to never drive through deep water.

According to the National Weather Service, flooding can wash away the material beneath a road -- something that might not be immediately apparent. Without the support of the gravel and sand underneath, a street can't support the weight of even a small vehicle.

That was a scenario demonstrated in July when a vehicle in St. George drove over a road that had been destabilized by a water main break.

The car broke through the surface and plunged into the sinkhole beneath.