Parts of Milwaukee remain without steam after water main break downtown

Updated: 7:47 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2021

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- WEC Energy Group says "significant progress" has been made Wednesday, and they are on track to restore steam service to all customers by the end of the night. 

They say the steam system serving downtown Milwaukee was inundated with millions of gallons of water after a water main broke Monday night and water rushed into the tunnels for nearly 17 hours. 

Crews continue to work non-stop to pump out the water and repair damage on the system. 

Some customers are beginning to see steam service return.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A large water main broke overnight in downtown Milwaukee, leaving some people east of the river without steam Tuesday morning, Nov. 23. 

According to WEC Energy Group, millions of gallons of water from the city's broken main flooded into the steam tunnels for nearly 17 hours, finally stopping around 2 p.m. Tuesday. 

WEC Energy Group says they hope to have the water clear from the tunnels before midnight. Once the tunnels cool and are safe to enter, damage will be assessed.

Officials say they'll continue working overnight and into the early morning hours to restore service to all customers.

This has not affected electric and natural gas service.