Florida’s West Coast Facing Sinkhole Risk After Month of Wet Weather

The onslaught of rain that drenched parts of Florida over the past month unleashed widespread flooding that left the ground soppy and saturated.

Geologists say that under all the water weight, another problem could be brewing out of sight: sinkholes.

The Tampa Bay Times reports experts are emphasizing the importance of watching for warning signs like dips in the yard or new structure cracks in buildings and sidewalks.

Big rains over an extended period of time weigh down the soil and sand that make up the earth’s surface, increasing the likelihood that it will collapse into holes in the bedrock below and form depressions or sinkholes.

In Lake County a sinkhole measuring approximately 65 feet deep opened on Sunday. Some residents are under a boil water notice.

Topics Florida