[Minniemom]

Well, we just bought our house in Spring Hill and I keep hearing all this business about it being the sink hole capital of Fl and such. I know that it is supposed to have alot of them around - but arent they a problem in most of Fl?? I know that it can damage property and stuff, but I guess my biggest concern is for my kids. Could they be swallowed up on day while playing on thier playset??

[Playball40]

The problems in Hernando county stem from poor development planning back in the 70's. There were only a couple developers at that time and they took down ALL the natural trees and landscaping that create's efficient drainage for the region. The built shallow retention areas that have since dried up. The unusually dry conditions coupled with the relatively shallow and porous grounds are favorable for sink holes as soon as we get torrential rains. It is a problem that, imo, Hernando county NEEDS to address.

[daniellefort]

It's just one of those things that you don't know you have until it falls apart. Yes, if your driving a car for example, the weight of that car may collapse it and the car will fall in but i don't think the weight of your kids playing in the yard will force the hole to collapse. Just keep an eye around your yard. Look for dips in the yard that weren't there before, look for new cracks forming on your home foundation or outside walls. These are all signs that there's one underneath your home or nearby. I think Springhill had so many at one time in a year that it's now known as Sinkhill but in reality, sinkholes are everywhere. we even have them up here in Citrus County 1/2 hour north of you.

[Minniemom]

Originally Posted by Playball40

The problems in Hernando county stem from poor development planning back in the 70's. There were only a couple developers at that time and they took down ALL the natural trees and landscaping that create's efficient drainage for the region. The built shallow retention areas that have since dried up. The unusually dry conditions coupled with the relatively shallow and porous grounds are favorable for sink holes as soon as we get torrential rains. It is a problem that, imo, Hernando county NEEDS to address.

OK - but how would they address such a thing? Can anything really be done to prevent them from happening?

[tallrick]

You will not find sinkholes in areas of Florida south of Lake Okeechobee. Only in higher elevation areas with a depressed water table. In my area sea water fill sthe voids if fresh water levels drop.

[ellie]

I know I wouldn't like it if a sinkhole swallowed my house, but I've always been fascinated with the things.

When I was a kid, they didn't fill them in, they made parks out of them. There were a few of my neighbors who had small, well-landscaped sinkholes in their yards. Those were always our favorite places to play.

I was fortunate enough to witness a couple open up and try to swallow nearby houses and driveways after a big flood. Those got filled in, and as far as I can tell, have not eaten the houses yet.

[Jammie]

I've read that Hernando and Citrus Co. both have an unusual amount of sinkholes. But since I've never been to either county, I have no first hand info. Does Lake Co. have any problems with sinkholes?

[sunrico90]

SINKHOLES and the AQUIFER
Sinkholes originate beneath the surface when groundwater moves through the limestone and erodes large voids, or cavities, in the bedrock. When water fills a cavity, it supports the walls and ceiling, but if the water-table drops, the limestone cavity is exposed to further erosional processes that eventually result in the collapse of the cavity, causing a surface indenture, or sinkhole. The sinkhole becomes a primary site of recharge, where surface water can enter the aquifer and replenish the groundwater supply.



http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/sinkholes.html

[Floridasunshine]

We had a sinkhole in south Lakeland that swallowed up a 20 acre Lake last summer. But I would not worry about it too much. My worry is that they will raise property insurance if one sink hole appears in my county.
My stepson lives near brooksville, a small community called Ridge Manor his insurance tripled.

[mystree]

When my husband and I were looking to buy in pasco county we called and checked on homeowners insurance for a property we were interested in and the rate was outragous,we were told it was high because of sinkholes not because of hurricanes. Needless to say we didn't buy.