Water main break closes Fifth Street, Wenatchee Ave. near Lifeline Ambulance

WENATCHEE — A water main break at the intersection of Fifth Street and Wenatchee Avenue flooded the roadway Monday morning, forcing multiple street closures and traffic detours as Wenatchee Police and City of Wenatchee Public Works crews responded.

The break occurred at the northwest corner of the intersection near Lifeline Ambulance, where crews were stationed throughout the morning assessing damage and working to control the flow of water. Police cordoned off the intersection while redirecting traffic around the affected area.

Water was visible rushing down Fifth Street toward the railroad underpass, which became inaccessible during the incident. The underpass, a key route for north-south travel through the area, remained closed as crews addressed flooding and roadway damage.

The block of Fifth Street between Mission Street and Wenatchee Avenue is closed to westbound traffic. Northbound traffic on Wenatchee Avenue is being redirected up Fifth Street toward the downtown one-way streets, while Wenatchee Avenue is fully closed between Fifth and Seventh streets. Drivers heading south are being directed to detour via Chelan Avenue to Thurston Street to reach the next available railroad underpass.

In addition to standing water along both sides of Wenatchee Avenue, a visible buckle formed in the northbound right-hand lane just past Fifth Street, highlighting the force of the underground pipe failure. Deep water extended beyond nearby businesses, including the Windermere Real Estate office, with pooling especially pronounced at the intersection.

No injuries were reported. As of Monday, officials had not released an estimate for repair completion or confirmed whether nearby properties would experience water service disruptions. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and plan alternate routes while repairs continue.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media