Sinkholes are rare, but they can be devastating. In 2013, Jeffrey Bush tragically lost his life when a sinkhole suddenly opened up under his bedroom in Florida. A year later, eight Corvettes were destroyed by a massive sinkhole in Kentucky. And in 2019, a Pittsburgh sinkhole swallowed the entire front of a city bus.

What is a sinkhole?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a sinkhole is a “depression in the ground that has no natural external surface drainage.” This means that rainwater doesn’t run off, but instead drains into the subsurface. The water eventually dissolves subterranean rock, creating spaces under the ground. When those spaces and caverns get too big, “a sudden collapse of the land surface can occur,” says USGS.

Sinkholes can also be caused by human factors, including construction or excavation activity.

According to USGS, the most damage from sinkholes tends to occur in:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Kentucky
• Missouri
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas

When a sinkhole forms near or under your house, you may see subtle warning signs.

Warning signs: inside your home

All houses settle over time, but multiple warning signs may indicate something more sinister is going on. Here are some red flags to watch out for, courtesy of Helicon:

• A door starts to jam or stops latching.
• Cracks appear on walls, especially over doorways or windows, or where the wall and ceiling meet.
• Cracks appear in ceramic tile or vinyl over a concrete floor.
• Windows start to stick or stop closing completely.
• Kitchen cabinets and drawers stop lining up.
• Floors and/or stairs become slanted.
• You see leaks or flooding when it rains.
• Nails or molding start to fall out of alignment.
• A crawl space is wet.
• There is an abnormally strong earthy smell after it rains.

Warning signs: Outside your home and in your yard

Helicon also provides some warning signs to look for outside:

• Fence posts, trees or other objects start slumping or sagging
• Small ponds of rainfall form in new places
• Small, circular areas of vegetation start wilting
• Nearby wells start providing cloudy water instead of clear
• Depressions form in your yard or on your street
• Paved concrete walks and driveways start separating or severely cracking
• Water begins pooling around your foundation
• Porches start to sink
• Your chimney begins to lean or crack
• Possible sinkhole activity has been identified nearby
• Plumbing or electrical service to your home or neighborhood is interrupted due to damaged utility lines

If you suspect a sinkhole around your home, contact your insurance professional. They may send someone to investigate and can advise you on ways to secure your property.

If a sinkhole opens up, leave your home immediately and call 911 when you get to a safe area.

Insurance coverage

Naturally occurring sinkholes, like earthquakes, involve ground movement that is not generally covered by standard homeowners insurance. Depending on where you live, you may be able to purchase sinkhole coverage as an endorsement to your homeowners insurance or as a stand-alone policy.

If sinkholes are a concern in your area, give us a call at 813-645-4404 to find out what coverage options are available and whether they might be a good fit for you.