Flood Control

Los Angeles city Firefighter Chris Sweasey, top, helps move boxes after a broken water main flooded two basement floors of the county Hall of Administration downtown Wednesday morning. At left, firefighters wade through the mud and water, which damaged files including some, above, in the medical records section. Building manager Jesse Rodriguez said hallways in the basement looked “like a river” immediately after the 8-inch main for the firefighting system ruptured about 5:30 a.m. Water cascaded through an air vent and down elevator shafts, over stairs and into the basement floors in the building at 500 W. Temple St., he said. The water was 2 to 3 feet deep in some places. The damaged documents will be sent to a professional restoration service.