A sinkhole swallowed two homes and continues to grow in a neighborhood in Land O' Lakes on Friday morning. Surrounding homes are currently being evacuated as a safety precaution.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office says the sinkhole, first reported as a depression, started out as the size of a small pool and a boat on the property was falling into the hole at approximately 7:56 a.m.
As of 8:23 a.m., the sinkhole expanded and reached the roadway. At least 10 surrounding homes were evacuated. Two homes have been destroyed due to the sinkhole.
Kevin Guthrie of the county's emergency management office told reporters the residents weren't home but firefighters rescued their dogs and removed some of their belongings.
He says it was "frightening" to watch the home disappear into the hole.
A property appraiser says the ground where a sinkhole has swallowed a Florida home was stabilized in 2014.
A previous sinkhole at the same Land O'Lakes home and an adjacent property was identified in 2012. Pasco County Property Appraiser Gary Joiner said stabilization, with a process called grouting, was completed in 2014.
Joiner says dozens of pipes were driven up to 60 feet (18 meters) down into ground beneath the properties, then pumped full of concrete to stabilize the soil.
The home was sold in July 2015.
A sinkhole in a Land O'Lakes neighborhood has prompted evacuations and road closures, Ocean Pines off of US 41. PLEASE AVOID THE AREA. pic.twitter.com/yAWPkNTApP
— PascoGovAffairs (@PascoGovAffairs) July 14, 2017
Shortly after our sister station ABC Action News arrived on scene, one of the homes collapsed into the sinkhole. Watch the video below:
Duke Energy is working to get the power cut in the area.
Pasco County officials are tagging nearby homes where they have not been able to make contact with occupants.
The sinkhole is located at 21835 Ocean Pines Drive in Land O' Lakes.
The Red Cross is on the way to the scene to help families affected.
Pasco Emergency Management, Pasco Fire Rescue, Duke Energy, Pasco Building Inspector and Pasco County PIO have responded to the scene.
Story Developing. Stay with Fox 4 for updates.
