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Hole opens up in Palm Harbor driveway; partially swallows 2 vehicles

Posted at 10:43 AM, Aug 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-13 20:43:56-04

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A large hole opened up in a Palm Harbor driveway early on Friday morning and partially swallowed two vehicles.

Rodney Kline and his wife Sandy Downey couldn’t believe what they saw on their driveway.

“I thought it was incredible. I’ve never seen such a thing," said Kline.

A neighbor woke them up at 6:45 this morning to tell them their vehicles were in a hole.

“My mind is just a big fog right now," said Downey.

Her Chrysler 200 had its front end all the way in the hole.

And Rodney's Ford Bronco was hanging with one wheel in the hole.

“What are you gonna do? I’m ready for a nice strong drink," said Downey.

Pinellas County officials said the home isn’t safe to live in right now as they try and figure out whether or not this is a sinkhole.

The neighbors next door grabbed some stuff and left too.

“Friday the 13th pulls through," said Downey.

The couple really wanted to save their vehicles. And Friday afternoon, a tow service pulled them both out.

The truck didn't appear to have any damage.

The car's front end was covered in dirt.

They’ve also been able to go back inside to get some belongings.

But what happens next, they still don’t know.

“We’ve been advised probably not to spend the night here so we are going to pack up a couple of bags and go spend the night in a hotel," said Kine.

A crew came late Friday afternoon to fill the hole with dirt.

Palm Harbor Fire Rescue says the hole opened up around 6:49 a.m. at 411 Ulelah Avenue.

Rescue officials say the 10 by 10 hole is 10-15 feet away from the home, so the homeowners have been evacuated as a safety precaution.

The hole has been taped off and isolated, and the Pinellas County Building Department came for inspection.