> At a Glance
> – A large sinkhole opened at Rodney and North Wister streets in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
> – The intersection is completely blocked off while crews assess the damage.
> – One resident reports losing water service since early morning.
> – Why it matters: Commuters and residents face ongoing detours and utility disruptions while the cause remains under investigation.
A gaping sinkhole upended the morning routine in West Oak Lane after it tore through the intersection of Rodney and North Wister streets, drawing an emergency response from city crews and the Philadelphia Water Department.
Emergency Response
SkyForce10 hovered over the scene shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, capturing aerial footage of the cratered roadway. City teams quickly cordoned off the area, rerouting traffic while they inspect underground infrastructure.
- Rodney and North Wister streets remain closed indefinitely.
- Philadelphia Water Department crews are on-site, though officials have not yet determined what triggered the collapse.
Resident Impact
A neighborhood resident told News Of Philadelphia reporter Lili Zheng that water service vanished in the early morning hours, linking the outage to the sudden sinkhole.
> “We’ve had no water since this morning. We don’t know how long it’ll be off.”
Key Takeaways
- The sinkhole appeared Jan. 6, 2026, shutting down a major residential intersection.
- Water service interruptions are already affecting nearby homes.
- City engineers have not announced a timeline for repairs or road reopening.
Officials urge drivers to avoid the area while investigators work to pinpoint the cause and stabilize the ground beneath West Oak Lane.
