Early reports of a sinkhole in the East Side community turned out to be false and the problem was identified as a broken water line.
A Carter County 911 dispatcher said Bluefield Avenue was closed from Cody Avenue to the end of the road. Residents in that area will not be able to leave or return to their homes until the road is reopened, the dispatcher said. This includes the Lynnridge and Lynnwood Apartment complexes.
However, when the Elizabethton Star arrived on scene Thursday afternoon, one lane of traffic had been opened to allow residents through.
The Elizabethton Water Department said residents in East Side would experience loss of water or low water pressure while repairs were being made.
Crews are on scene working to repair the sinkhole but it is unknown how long repairs will take.