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LONG BEACH (CNS) - A broken water main overnight led to flooding in the Bixby Hill neighborhood of Long Beach Friday, with rising water levels worsened by heavy rainfall.
Three to four feet of water accumulated by about 6:30 a.m. Friday in an area of the 700 block of Rancho Drive, near Cal State Long Beach, Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Jack Crabtree told City News Service. Water rose to the windows of cars parked in the area.
Firefighters first responded at around 4:30 a.m. and called in Long Beach utilities crews, Crabtree said.
At 6:30 a.m., swiftwater rescue teams helped two people evacuate from their home, and no injuries were reported, he said. Video from the scene showed rescuers waist-deep in water, and a resident in a raft.
Clearing drains in the area was expected to help water levels recede, and the large water main break was contained by 8:30 a.m., Crabtree said.
"We are aware of one additional area where water is still flowing, though it is significantly less," he said.
Emergency repairs were underway.
