Public works crews worked in Cockeysville on Tuesday to repair a water main break that shut off service to more than 3,000 customers for more than a day — and washed away a portion of York Road.

The break in the 20-inch main occurred Monday on York Road between Phoenix and McCormick roads. Public works officials hoped to have water flowing again by Tuesday night.

“Hopefully the sound of toilets flushing will be heard before bedtime,” said Jeff Raymond, spokesman for the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, which operates and maintains most of the water utilities in the county.

But York Road was expected to be closed for some time. The road was damaged in the flow of water, with an area as wide as a traffic lane washed away.

Lauren Watley, spokeswoman for the county Department of Public Works, could not estimate how long the segment of road would be closed, saying officials needed to wait until the main repair was done before assessing the overall damage.

Earlier in the day, county officials offered water to residents who showed up with containers at the Fire Department's Station 17 in Cockeysville.

Not long after an afternoon thunderstorm rolled through the area, Judy Worthington of Mays Chapel showed up to fill three gallon containers. On her first attempt, the station's garden hose sprayed everywhere. By the third bottle, Worthington filled the container with barely a drop spilled.

“The third time's the charm,” she said.

Managers at local grocery stores said they saw a small increase in water sales Monday and Tuesday.

Joann Koch and niece Gia Gover found the Graul's Market in the Roundwood Center at Mays Chapel closed, with a sign on its door citing the lack of water. Koch, who lives near the shopping center, said she had been out of water at her home since Monday afternoon.

“It's not easy — you can't even wash your hands,” she said.

She was able to buy bottled water elsewhere, and took the inconvenience in stride: “It's not like someone purposely did this.”

Meanwhile, businesses at the Roundwood Center were trying to make do. At The Salon at Mays Chapel, owner Michele Brunner rescheduled about 75 percent of her appointments due to the lack of water.

Yet some customers brought their own – so stylists could wash their hair.

A few doors down, Kooper's North restaurant had closed Monday after losing water but Willy Dely, director of operations, said the eatery would use a food truck for Tuesday's dinner service.

He said the outage had a big impact on business.

“We're already talking five figures we're losing,” he said.

Broadmead Retirement Community was also affected, but brought in 5,000 gallons of bottled water for residents.

“We also have a natural spring that we're using for our cooling systems,” said Joyce Malone, senior director of facilities. “That is helping to keep our residents cool.”