ALLENTOWN (AP) - A large water main break flooded a neighborhood in Allentown, prompting evacuations and partially swallowing a vehicle, authorities said.

Allentown police said the water began rushing down the street at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, prompting evacuations and requests to residents to move their cars. The (Allentown) Morning Call reported that the break caused a hole to open in the road, partially swallowing a vehicle.

Lehigh County Authority Director Liesel Gross said crews were trying to shut off the 30-inch high-pressure line that serves large portions of the city and surrounding communities.

Gross said the break left a good part of the city without water service and widespread outages were expected. Residents were asked to avoid using water if possible.

The cause of the break wasn’t immediately known.