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Sinkholes
Increased numbers of sinkholes can generally be attributed to changing or loading of the earth’s surface with development such as retention ponds, buildings, changes in drainage patterns, heavy traffic vibrations or declining groundwater levels.
When a sinkhole develops everything on the land surface or in the soil below has the potential to end up in the aquifer. The area around a sinkhole should be free of garbage and wastes. Don’t use it as a garbage dump or compost pit. Make sure that fertilizers, chemicals, motor oils, animal wastes, or pesticides are not allowed to drain into a sinkhole from the surrounding area.
Information excerpted from "Sinkholes", printed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Action Checklist
1. If a sinkhole forms on a street, mark and secure the sinkhole, and notify the agency responsible for maintenance.
- · County Public Works;
- · Municipal Public Works Department;
- · Civic Association;
- · Private road maintained by adjacent property owners.
2. If reported sinkhole is located on private property, mark and secure the area and determine if any structures are in danger. Indications of possible structural damage include - cracks in walls, floors, and pavement, and/or cracks in the ground surface. If structures are in possible danger:
- a. A representative from the Office of Emergency Management will respond to the scene and conduct a survey to determine if the structure is in danger or other hazards exist, and advise the homeowner on contacting the appropriate agencies (i.e., insurance, utilities, phone, fire department).
- b. If the home is in danger, residents will be advised that they should evacuate the residence until assessment and repairs are made.
- c. If the resident needs assistance in evacuating or needs sheltering, contact will be made with the American Red Cross.
- d. The resident/owner then must contact their homeowner’s insurance agent to send a claims representative out to assess the damage and make arrangements for repairs.
3. If it is determined that a sinkhole is on private property and no structures are in danger:
- a. Ensure that sinkhole is marked and secured. Make sure the sink is fenced, roped, or taped very clearly. Usually, the property owner will be liable if someone is hurt in the sinkhole.
- b. Keep children away!
- c. If lake or river levels are affected or you think groundwater quality is endangered by a sinkhole,
- d. If your home is threatened, contact your homeowners insurance company.
- e. Check carefully for signs of the sinkhole enlarging, especially toward buildings, septic tanks, drain fields, and well (flowing water into a sinkhole will continue or accelerate its growth). This can be done with a thin hard metal rod that can be pushed into the soil. Areas near the sink will offer less resistance to the rod than the unaffected soil.
- f. Do not throw any waste into the sinkhole. Do not use the sinkhole as a drainage system. Pesticides and other wastes seep easily through the sinkhole into the aquifer - your drinking water.
- g. Do not construct buildings between sinkholes that form a line in a northwest-southeast or northeast-southwest direction.
- h. The County does not repair sinkholes on private property. If the hole is small, fill the hole with clean sand or dirt and monitor it for future growth.
- i. If the hole is large contact your insurance agent and have them send a claims adjuster out to assess the damage and make arrangements for repairs.
- j. If desired, the resident may make contact with a private contractor to evaluate the hole to officially determine if it is a sinkhole.
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