A water main break in Hoschton on Monday evening left one city subdivision without water and forced a boil water advisory to be issued through today.

Lightning struck a tree, traveled through its roots and blew out the main water line to the Deer Creek Farms subdivision at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to Hoschton Mayor Erma Denney.

She said the line is located behind Councilman Scott Butler's home, and he and his wife, Pam, witnessed the incident.

"It got hit and it immediately took out the water basically to Deer Creek Farms," Denney said.

The incident also caused the city's 100,000 gallon water tank to lose much of its contents, which left residents throughout the city with low water pressure, according to Stacy Jenkins, water services manager with the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority.

By 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jenkins said water service had been restored to the estimated 86 homes in Deer Creek Farms affected by the break. A boil water advisory was issued by the authority Monday evening and was expected to remain until at least today.

Denney said Hoschton officials posted fliers on homes, sent e-mails and made phone calls on Monday to alert residents.

Eric Klerk, the water authority's manager, said issuing the advisory is required any time an incident occurs where the water system loses pressure.

Until the advisory is lifted, residents are encouraged to boil water for one minute and let it cool before using for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, bathing, or preparing food, as boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

For more information on the water line break, contact Hoschton City Hall at kbutler@cityofhoschton.com, george@cityofhoschton.com or 706-654-3034.