A $1.1 million federal grant is allowing the Florida Geological Survey and Division of Emergency Management to conduct a study to shed more light on the state’s sinkhole problem.
State officials say the grant was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
The three-year project will start with geologists conducting a one-year pilot study in Hamilton, Columbia and Suwannee counties. The results of the pilot study will culminate in the production of a model that will generate a map showing the relative vulnerability of these counties to potential sinkhole formation. The resulting model will then be used to produce a statewide map during the following two years.
The announcement comes as a sinkhole collapsed part of a Clermont Resort Villa, bringing back memories of another sinkhole in Seffner in February. That sinkhole also opened up at night - beneath Jeff Bush’s bedroom - killing him.
“They’re definitely alarming,” said Jim Flynn with sinkhole repair company LRE Ground Services.
Flynn said it appears both were cases of a ‘catastrophic cover collapse,’ a rare kind of sinkhole that’s proven dangerous - and deadly.
The statewide assessment of sinkholes beginning this fall may possibly help predict sinkholes of various extremes.
“The more we can learn about sinkholes and where they are in Florida, how they’re affecting not only the current structures that are built, but also where we might build in the future - I think the better off we all are,” said Flynn.
State officials say the study could help prevent property damage and save lives - in a state where sinkholes are a common natural occurrence.
“Florida has some serious limestone issues and when that limestone gets some punctures in it, or some voids in the ground, those sands have to go somewhere,” said Flynn.
As many Floridians have experienced – those sinkholes often times open up under streets, yards, homes, and businesses.
Signs of sinkholes include cracked tiles, doors that don’t close properly anymore, and of course drops in the ground. Experts say if you notice warning signs, call your insurance company. Full sinkhole inspections are completed by geotechnical engineers, and include soil testing and radar to look in to the ground.