A water pipe break along San Carlos Boulevard early this morning flooded the road and forced Lee County Utilities to shut off water to about 80 customers. A portion of San Carlos Boulevard between Hepatica Road and Spruce Drive had to be closed as well.

Patty Dipiero with Lee Utilities says about 80 customers were effected by the water shutoff. Water was fully restored at 10:00 a.m.

The pipes are about 30 years old and breaks like this can happen with older pipes. She says the firefighting efforts just a few blocks away may or may not have had any effect on this water line break.

Earlier this morning, portions of the road bubbled up as water exploded from underneath. A stretch of the road flooded with water as well as the sidewalk on the southside of San Carlos Boulevard.

Crews will repair the pipe, repave the road, and reopen the road later today.