Water main break floods streets on Staten Island

WILLOW BROOK, Staten Island (WABC) -- A street on Staten Island looked more like a river Monday morning after a water main broke.

Neighbors were cleaning up the with a mess after the 8-inch main ruptured on Vedder Avenue, off Willow Brook Road, sending water rushing down several blocks in the Willow Brook section.

Repair work was underway, with a large hole left in street, and the Department of Environmental Protection is at the scene working to keep water flowing to as many homes as possible.

Several homeowners reported having brown water coming out of their faucets.

"We woke up to brown water," Eileen Manning said. "Brown, cold water. These pipes are over 100 years old. I think they should be fixed by now."

About 40 homes will be without water while crews are doing the repairs. It is unclear when they will be finished.