HIGHLAND CITY, Fla. — A family in Highland City is still out of their home after a sinkhole opened in their front yard more than a week ago.
However, as they wait for more answers, a neighbor is stepping up to help the Austin family by raising money through GoFundMe.
"It's like a bad dream," said James Mils, a neighbor and fundraiser organizer.
The hole is filled, but crews still appear to be monitoring the area and surveying to make sure the land is safe before the impacted family moves back in. The hole first opened on Jan. 20 and is estimated to have grown at least 60 feet deep and 30 feet wide.
Mils said he hopes the money raised can help in some way as the future of the home remains uncertain. The family, which consists of a 1-month-old baby, just settled in about four months ago and is having to stay with loved ones.
Mils' late mother lived in the home for 43 years before he sold it. It was built on former orange groves and all those years, Mils said he has never encountered a sinkhole at the site of the property.
"I feel like I had to do something," Mils said.
There’s no exact cause known for the sinkhole, with officials pointing to just a “Florida phenomenon." Over the years, Polk County, near Lakeland, has seen its fair share of sinkholes.
A region of Tampa Bay is known as "sinkhole alley" due to favorable conditions. Over the summer, a sinkhole in Seffner opened up for the third time in ten years. The collapse killed 37-year-old Jeffrey Bush in 2013.
While Mils and neighbors raise money for the impacted family, other neighbors also wonder whether their homes could be at risk.
"Everybody's a little nervous," Mils said. "People are concerned. Justifiably so."
Standard home insurance policies in Florida do not include sinkhole coverage, therefore it must be purchased as an endorsement and it's typically dubbed sinkhole loss coverage, said Mark Friedlander, Insurance Information Institute spokesperson.
Latest data shows the average endorsement for single loss coverage is running about $2,000 to $4,000, Friedlander said.
"But the loss could be substantial," Friedlander said. "Say your home's replacement cost value is $250,000. It could be a $250,000 loss."
Friedlander said an insurer could still deny coverage for this based on the results from geological testing, which is standard for those looking to add this endorsement. If that's the case, Friedlander recommends speaking with a local insurance agent to find other companies that will be able to offer and provide coverage.
"One denial doesn't mean permanent denial," Friedlander said.
If you'd like to contribute to Mils' GoFundMe for the Austin family, visit this link.