Hurricane Milton spawned dozens of tornadoes and is estimated to have dropped more than a foot of rain in west-central Florida, but the scene now unfolding in many counties is one of sinkholes.
Large sinkholes were reported in both Polk and Hillsborough counties, where local officials warned residents to remain vigilant after the storm, as terrain features could expand without warning.
photos Shared by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Pipes, part of a sidewalk and a road are shown destroyed by a sinkhole in a residential community southeast of Tampa.
The Sheriff’s Office did not report any damage to homes, and the community’s road was closed with signs and warning tape.
Due to the location of the incident, a local resident said they were virtually trapped in their neighborhood and had to walk around the huge depression.
A similar scene was east in Polk County, where a large hole opened between two homes in a community between Lakeland and Zephyrhills.
A homeowner told Tampa’s Fox 13 When his courtyard started giving way at night, his dog woke him up by barking.
No injuries were reported, but a truck and part of a garage were sucked into the hole, threatening further damage to the neighborhood.
Central Florida is no stranger to these incidents and is often referred to as the sinkhole capital of America
during Tropical Storm Debbie in 2012Dozens of sinkholes developed throughout north-central Florida.
Sinkholes can form due to the increase in surface soil weight during heavy rainfall, causing underground erosion and voids.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, long-term weathering of limestone plays a significant role in changes in the terrain.
Potholes and holes caused by broken drainpipes, septic tanks and improperly compacted soil are often misclassified as sinkholes.
According to the Chief Financial OfficerNot all homeowner’s policies provide coverage for sinkholes, but all licensed insurance companies in the state must offer special coverage.
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