Incredible. There is so much utility under that freeway just in that photo alone: you have fiberoptic, electrical and either a water main or a storm sewer. Probably a water main judging by the destruction.
That 12" pipe is ultimately what caused that level of failure. You can see the ground heaved around the pipe. That pipe was full and when the ground became too saturated the pressure inside exceeded the ground pressure and the line literally raises up out of the ground. It happens on new projects with poor compaction. I have never seen one come out of a road before without an earthquake. Ever. In 25 years of heavy civil construction design and execution.
They have leak and pressure detection. The line is supposed to drain itself if the pressure outside the line drops. This means that the pressure drop outside from the water was so fast that the meters and drains couldn't keep up. I can't fathom that much rain.
I am so sorry for you all having to go through this.
And sadly, the reality is this is what happens when you ignore infrastructure projects and cut budgets. Infrastructure that was stressed fails completely and utterly when the system is stressed to its extreme. Not just at the fail points. Everywhere.
That freeway will not be open for over a year minimum. This section alone I mean. I hope the damage like this is fairly localized because they would have to start over and completely rebuild the freeway from soil mass balance. That would take twice as long as it did the first time and cost three times as much.
Couple that with the other major roadways that are destroyed and the reality is, ALL major Federal infrastructure project in the country will be delayed and diverted to this area.
This will cause further delay on projects that are desperately needing to be done to avoid this very situation.
---
It isn't t much, and I live in the other side of the country, but I have an ADU that I Airbnb. If anyone has been displaced or has friends or family that has and has nowhere to go, I will pull it down from the website and give it to you all for free. For as long as you need. Even Falcons fans.
I wish I had more to offer than a 1 bedroom. But it sleeps 4 fairly comfortably. Just DM me and I we can figure it out.