HIGHLAND CITY, Fla. — Editor's note: The above photo shows the sinkhole that opened at the same home on January 20, 2024.
Polk County officials are working to address a 20-foot-deep sinkhole that opened Wednesday on the front lawn of a Highland City home. It's the second sinkhole this home has seen this year.
The homeowners called 911 on Wednesday afternoon 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.
The hole, according to Polk County officials, is 8 feet wide by 20 feet deep as of Thursday afternoon. It's located about halfway between the road and the home.
Officials say the sinkhole does not appear to be impacting the home's foundation, and the homeowners were given the option whether 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.
“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're working with a "geo-technical firm" to assess the sinkhole in relation to the home and the road. The roadway remains open in the meantime.
“Because of the recurrence and the proximity to the initial sinkhole, the county will address it,” Jarvis added.
