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Sinkhole opens in lawn of Polk County home that saw sinkhole less than a year ago

County officials confirmed the sinkhole was filled on Monday.

HIGHLAND CITY, Fla. — Polk County officials have filled a 20-foot-deep sinkhole that opened a week ago in the front lawn of a Highland City home. It's the second sinkhole this home has seen in less than a year.

The homeowners called 911 just before 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 after noticing an opening near the driveway of their Royal Crest Drive home.

Several county agencies responded including the sheriff's office, fire rescue, emergency management and the roads and drainage division. They cordoned off the sinkhole to monitor it for changes.

County officials confirmed the sinkhole was filled the following Monday.

The hole, according to Polk County leaders, was 8 feet wide by 20 feet deep. It was located about halfway between the road and the home.

Officials say the sinkhole did not appear to be impacting the home's foundation, and the homeowners were given the option to stay or go elsewhere.

The first sinkhole at this home opened back in January. That one was at least 15 feet wide and 60 feet deep.

Credit: Polk County Fire Rescue
Sinkhole at Royal Crest Drive home on Jan. 20, 2024

“We filled a sinkhole at this location back in January because the right-of-way was impacted. The new opening is essentially right next to the previous sinkhole. Anytime there’s an opening or sinkhole and you fill it, there is a possibility things can shift or reopen," Jay Jarvis, the director of the roads and drainage division, said.

County officials say they worked with a "geo-technical firm" to assess the sinkhole in relation to the home and the road.

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