ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens declared that the city is now under a state of emergency following now two days of attempting to repair a handful of water main breaks throughout the city, including two major ones.
The City of Atlanta has been severely impacted by the issue to start the weekend, as canceled concerts, closed venues and temporarily closed businesses are just part of the problems. Low water pressure has affected flushing toilets, having safe drinking water and has had even more impacts for residents.
A state of emergency will allow Mayor Dickens to put through policies and get resources, supplies and materials that it would not usually be permitted to do. Parts of the city still remain under a boil water advisory out of caution.
As of Saturday night, crews were able to repair a major water main break in Atlanta's Mechanicsville neighborhood at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and James P Brawley Drive. The break had major impacts citywide, however.
Dickens said they are still working to repair a major water main break at 11th Street and West Peachtree Street that has impacted homes and businesses in Midtown Atlanta. Dickens said that fixing that main was a little more "complicated" but that crews were working around the clock to fix it.
The mayor said that enacting a state of emergency will allow the city to access resources in an "expedited fashion." He said the city has been working with the Georgia Department of Emergency Management (GEMA) and that he appreciates the support from the state in helping to get the city's water back up and running normally.
He also said that city officials have checked in on metro Atlanta hospitals to ensure that operations are running smoothly and that they have also been checking on senior living communities. They are expecting 100 pallets of drinking water to arrive and be ready to distribute on Sunday morning.
11Alive is keeping track of water main break updates and venue closures throughout the city of Atlanta this afternoon and tonight.
You can watch Mayor Dickens' full presser below: