Sam Zurzolo, a Butler Township commissioner, views the damage at Moraine Pointe Plaza that he said was caused by heavy rain Wednesday night that got around a water pipe, washing it out. That created a sink hole. Contractors are expected to repair the water line Friday to the remaining seven affected stores.

BUTLER TWP — Heavy rains Wednesday night caused a large sink hole to develop behind Moraine Pointe Plaza and left several businesses there without water Thursday.

Rain from the downpour worked its way through a paved area behind Harbor Freight Tools and washed out the dirt around an 8-inch main water line, caused the line to break and caused the huge sink hole to open up, said Sam Zurzolo, a township commissioner.

“That parking lot was like a river last night,” Zurzolo said. “I've never seen anything like this.”

He said the entire shopping center had no water Thursday morning, but service was restored to most of the businesses later in the day.

Open, but still without water Thursday night, were Harbor Freight, GNC, Miracle Ear, Pets in the Park, Quick Care Pediatrics and Speedy Furniture. The Cosmo Prof salon was not open.

Contractors are expected to repair the water line Friday.

Read the full story in Friday's Butler Eagle.