Shortly after midnight Wednesday, a Weilerbach resident reported seeing a man walking through town with an axe. (Jochen Tack/Mettman Police)

A man brandishing an axe was hospitalized early Wednesday after causing a midnight scare for residents in Weilerbach and flooding his home, Westpfalz police said in a statement.

Shortly after midnight, a resident reported seeing a man walking through town with an axe. Officers located the 56-year-old, who seemed to be in a severe psychological crisis, according to police. His axe had already been taken away by another witness before police arrived, according to officials.

In his home, officers found all furniture smashed and the floor flooded from a damaged water pipe. Emergency responders shut off the water supply to prevent further damage.

The man was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.