November 27, 2020
A sinkhole that formed in the northwestern part of Gainesville has expanded to the point where local officials have officially declared it a problem.
The sinkhole, which is located in the backyard of 4006 NW 13th Pl, has already ingested a swimming pool and a tree, and forced several local residents to evacuate. Initial measurements estimated that the sinkhole was at least 25 feet deep and 100 feet wide, but it is said have grown substantially since then.
The City of Gainesville stated that the area poses an “immediate danger to onlookers who venture near the formation," and repeated its earlier warning to steer clear of the area as the ground remains unstable. On top of that, the city has taken some additional measures to ensure that their warning is heeded. A six-foot chain link fence is set to be built around the sinkhole in an effort to keep onlookers away, and Gainesville law enforcement officers will be patrolling that fence to make sure nobody tries to climb it.
Gainesville City Manager Lee Feldman issued a press release warning locals of the danger involved should they defy the precautions and get a closer look at the sinkhole. “Individuals who disregard these safety measures directly place their own lives at risk as well as the lives of our first responders,” he said. “We’re asking everyone to stay away and to keep children away from the sinkhole. An accident likely could mean a recovery effort rather than a rescue effort.”
