NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- Pasco Fire Rescue is currently on the scene of a reported depression in the ground behind two mobile homes in Moon Lake, according to officials.

  • Voluntary evacuation issued for 6 homes
  • 4 homes evacuated, 1 vacant, 1 chose to stay
  • Depression on private property

Officials on scene described the depression as being 15 x 15 and approximately 10 feet deep. It's located in the backyard between the two homes in the 11700 block of Pearl Drive.

Pasco County Emergency Management called for the voluntary evacuation of six homes in the area surrounding the depression.

"I thought it was something small until I seen all the tape," said resident Lois Scott. "Then when I seen it and how large it is, I said, 'that could go either way, you know -- any one of these houses could go."

Emergency workers placed red tags on the houses in the most danger.

"Those are unsafe for entry," said Pasco County Head of Public Safety Kevin Guthrie. "That's all it means, is that it's unsafe for entry and those individuals will not be allowed to go back into those homes until those red tags are removed."

Of those six houses, residents in four of the homes chose to evacuate. 

One of the other homes is vacant, while the resident of the sixth home, Katalin Janka, chose not to evacuate.

"I just don't like to leave my home unless it's absolutely necessary," Janka told us.

Geologists on site are examining the depression and trying to determine if it's actually a sinkhole. They are expecting some movement because of the ground settling.

"We're probably going to lose about 2 feet of its southern edge, which is on the side of the mobile home closest to it," Guthrie explained. "But again, that would be more settling movement that it is an active sinkhole."

Residents, meanwhile, find the whole situation understandably unnerving.

"I'm hoping more of them don't show up, that's for sure," said resident Sonny Vanochten.

"Just pray," said Scott. "That's all we can do is pray, 'cause it's nature."

Pasco County Sheriff's Office deputies will remain overnight to keep the site under observation.