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New concerns raised after Polk County sinkhole in front yard grows

PCFR reported the sinkhole was 60 feet deep and 15 feet wide on Saturday.

HIGHLAND CITY, Fla. — Polk County Fire Rescue said a sinkhole opened up in the front yard of a house in a Highland City neighborhood.

A Facebook post from PCFR on Saturday said the sinkhole was about 15 feet wide and 60 feet deep as of 11:22 a.m.

In an update Monday afternoon, officials noted that if the sinkhole forces the road closed, people living in 88 homes will not have a way to get home. At last check, first responders are still assessing the exact depth of the expanded sinkhole.

"It's really hard to see and even now, it's not safe to put anybody close, especially on that driveway," said Paul Womble, Polk County's emergency management director. 

Officials say the sinkhole doesn't pose an immediate threat to drivers at this time, so the roads in the area remain open. However, first responders are advising only residents to access the neighborhood on Royal Crest Drive. 

Some neighbors voiced concerns about the possibility of their road shutting down, especially after seeing how much it has expanded since the weekend.

"I'm really concerned that if they shut the road down, how do we get it out of here?" neighbor Dennis Folds said. 

Folds, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, said while he is not surprised to see another sinkhole open in Polk County, he is concerned about the impact on the area. 

Womble said the family living at the affected property was advised to leave and is now staying at a different location. 

First responders are waiting for the sinkhole to become stable. However, a geotechnical engineering firm is prepared to assess and be able to provide any necessary mitigation action, Womble said. 

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