NATCHEZ — A water main broke under Pearl Street near the Eola Hotel flooding portions of the street and the intersection with Franklin Street in downtown Natchez Tuesday.

Natchez Water Works Superintendent Tony Moon said crews reacted quickly when the break in the line was reported Tuesday afternoon.

Posts on social media show cars driving through the flooded intersection of Pearl and Franklin Streets at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Moon said breaks happen from time to time downtown, especially after periods of heavy rain, like the torrential rains the area has experienced in recent weeks. The rains cause the ground to shift, which can break the old cast iron pipes that service the downtown area.

Moon said crews had to shut off the water to some customers along Pearl Street and that no customers experienced a loss in pressure.

Moon said he was glad the break happened in the afternoon and not at 2 a.m. when water main breaks can go unnoticed for long periods of time.