How to report a missing or damaged manhole cover

A missing, shifted, or broken manhole cover can create an immediate hazard for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and maintenance crews. An uncovered opening may be difficult to see at night, while a loose cover can move under the weight of traffic and cause a collision or vehicle damage.

Prompt reporting gives the City of Susanville Public Works Department a chance to inspect the location, secure the area, and arrange repairs. The issue may involve a sewer access point, storm drain, utility vault, or another part of the city’s public infrastructure.

If the opening presents an immediate threat to life or traffic, keep a safe distance and contact emergency services. For non-emergency infrastructure concerns, use the city’s established public works contact options and provide clear location details.

Recognize the hazard

A manhole cover does not have to be completely missing to require attention. A cracked cover, sunken frame, rocking lid, exposed opening, or cover sitting above or below the pavement can indicate a dangerous defect. Loud clanking when vehicles pass may also signal that the cover is loose or improperly seated.

Look for nearby signs of a related problem, such as standing water, pavement collapse, erosion, damaged concrete, or debris around the opening. These details can help crews determine whether the issue involves a sewer line, stormwater system, roadway surface, or another underground facility.

Never assume that an uncovered access point is abandoned or shallow. Underground structures may contain contaminated water, unstable edges, moving traffic hazards, or dangerous gases. Treat every open manhole as a serious safety concern.

Protect yourself and others first

Do not approach the opening closer than necessary, enter the structure, or attempt to replace a heavy cover. Avoid standing in the roadway, and do not place yourself in front of approaching traffic to warn drivers. If you can do so safely, move to a sidewalk, shoulder, or other protected area.

If a safe warning device is already nearby, leave it in place. Do not remove cones, barricades, or caution tape installed by city crews. Residents should avoid using improvised objects that could create another collision or obstruct emergency access.

For a hazard in an active traffic lane, near a school, or in a location where someone could fall, contact emergency services when the danger is immediate. Otherwise, report the issue promptly through the city’s public works process.

Choose the right reporting channel

The Susanville Public Works website provides access to municipal service information, contacts, utility resources, and infrastructure updates. Use the department’s current contact instructions rather than relying on an outdated number or an informal social media post.

When calling, explain that the report concerns a missing or damaged manhole cover and state whether the opening is in a street, alley, sidewalk, parking area, or another public location. If the hazard is on private property, identify that fact so the appropriate party can be determined.

Use a phone call when the hazard requires fast attention or when speaking with a representative will help explain the location. An online form, email, or other written report can be useful for less urgent defects, especially when you can attach photographs and provide precise identifying details.

Condition	Potential risk	Recommended response
Cover completely missing	Fall, vehicle impact, or access to an open shaft	Report immediately and keep people away
Cover cracked or broken	Failure under traffic or foot pressure	Keep clear and request inspection
Cover loose, rocking, or noisy	Sudden movement or loss of control	Report promptly and avoid driving over it
Cover surrounded by flooding	Hidden opening or undermined pavement	Stay away from standing water and report the location
Minor frame or pavement damage	Progressive roadway or sidewalk deterioration	Submit a detailed non-emergency service report

Include useful location details

A report is easier to act on when crews can find the site without searching a large area. Provide the nearest street address, intersection, block number, landmark, or utility pole. State the direction of travel and identify the side of the street, sidewalk, or lane where the cover is located.

Describe what you observed: missing lid, cracked metal, displaced cover, sunken pavement, exposed opening, or water around the structure. Mention whether vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, children, or workers appear to be at risk. Include the time you noticed the problem and whether the condition is worsening.

The detailed reporting guide can help organize the information before you contact the department. Photographs taken from a safe position may show the surrounding intersection, the defect, and nearby landmarks. Do not walk into traffic or approach the opening to get a closer image.

Help crews assess the situation

A city crew may need to inspect the cover, frame, pavement, drainage conditions, and underground structure before choosing a repair. The first response may involve cones, barricades, temporary plating, traffic control, or other measures to reduce the immediate danger.

Repair timing can depend on the severity of the hazard, weather, traffic conditions, utility ownership, equipment availability, and whether additional engineering work is needed. A report may be referred to another agency or utility if the structure is outside city responsibility.

Keep the report reference, if one is provided, so you can share new information if the condition changes. If the cover becomes fully displaced, flooding increases, or traffic control fails, submit an updated report or use the appropriate emergency contact rather than assuming the original message was seen.

Keep the area safe while waiting

Residents can reduce the chance of injury while a response is pending by following a few simple practices:

• Keep children, pets, cyclists, and pedestrians away from the opening.
• Warn nearby people from a safe, protected position without entering traffic.
• Avoid driving or walking directly over a loose, broken, or displaced cover.
• Do not touch, lift, or reposition the cover unless directed by authorized personnel.
• Report worsening conditions, flooding, or damaged barricades as a new urgent update.

Prompt, accurate information helps Public Works staff prioritize hazards across streets, sidewalks, stormwater facilities, and other municipal systems. A short report made early can prevent a serious crash, fall, or additional damage.

Report the location as soon as you identify the problem, using the City of Susanville’s current public works contact information. If the situation is immediately dangerous, move away from the hazard and contact emergency services first.