Florida may have some of the finest things in life, but it is prone to natural disasters.
For instance, the state has a high rate of sinkhole occurrence.
Where is Florida’s sinkhole alley?
The west central area of
Florida is home to Sinkhole
Alley, which consists of Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough.
Between 2006 and 2010, more than two-thirds of
sinkhole insurance claims in Florida
came from there.
Where is Florida’s sinkhole alley?
Florida’s sinkhole alley is in the West-central areas of Florida.
It is made up of Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough.
These three cities have many sinkholes.
They constituted about two-thirds of the sinkhole damage-related claims files in Florida’s insurance companies’ offices between 2006 and 2010.
Sinkhole formation was not common in the past compared to what it is today.
There has been an increased rate of reports on sinkhole activity in Florida within the past few years.
Over the years, sinkholes have been a big headache to the government of Florida and its people.
It is causing much damage to the economy of the state.
Where is Florida’s Sinkhole Alley?
In their move to save the state from further losses, scientists have come up with preventive measures against sinkhole formations.
The central area of Florida is very attractive to people, and a lot of people are migrating to the cities in this area.
This resulted in a population increase in that region.
The presence of porous limestone beneath the soil of a place is the major reason behind sinkhole formation.
When the limestone comes in contact with acidic underground water it will start to dissolve into liquids.
Underground cavers and cracks will start to form on them.
People fail to carry out proper investigations before they build pipelines and pump water from underground.
When a large volume of water is pumped from the cavers to the land surface sinkholes start.
What part of Florida has the least sinkholes
?
I will say that
i
t is possible to see a sinkhole at any place in Florida, but west central Florida records the highest number of reports.
This is because the region has a plain of karst limestone under its ground.
Many factors trigger sinkhole activity, some of them are long-term weather conditions, heavy acidic rains, and drought-like conditions.
Increase in Sinkhole Formation
There has been an increase in the rate of sinkhole formation in the recent past in Florida.
Prolonged droughts, heavy rainfall, civil engineering works, water extraction, and retention pond construction are some of the natural and human factors that trigger the occurrence.
There are both small and big sinkholes in Florida.
Some sinkholes are so big they can sink buildings, roads, swimming pools, and much more.
Sinkholes activity totally and sometimes partially destroys structures.
The geological accident is an environmental hazard.
Pollutants like fertilizers and pesticides gain direct access through the carbonate rocks present in sinkhole formations.
Oil and gasoline have easy access to the sinkhole through this channel as well.
Although sinkholes are a problem to mankind, it has become a part of our ecosystem.
Common Signs of Sinkholes
If you are a homeowner or business owner, you need to know the common signs that will warn you of sinkhole formation.
Sometimes, sinkholes do give enough warning signs before they strike.
If you see the following signs in or around your house, know that sinkhole is around the corner.
Sloping floors
Ceiling cracks
Loss of pool water
Cracks in interior joint areas
Actual cavity forming
Foundation cracks
Settling foundation
Places Where Sinkhole is Popular
Osceola Country
According to the history of sinkholes in the county, Osceola city has had very few sinkhole reports.
A few have been reported in the St.
Cloud area, and a few in the south of the Orange County line, close to the
Walt Disney World Resort
.
Brevard county
Brevard has recorded only two sinkhole cases in history.
This is according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Volusia County
The
East coast of Florida
has a few sinkhole sites.
There are reports of sinkholes that recently opened up in the DeBary, Deltona, DeLand, and De Leon Springs areas, all close to U.
S.
17-92.
If you look at the map, you will see a cluster of sinkholes around the Pierson area.
Flagler
From Florida’s geological survey map, it can be seen that Flagler city has recorded only one sinkhole.
The site of the sinkhole was south of Royal Palms Parkway.
Lake County
There is a sprinkling of sinkholes all over Lake city accordingly to the Florida geological survey map.
These sprinkles of sinkholes are concentrated around the major roadways, around State Road 44, mostly.
Marion County
There is a high concentration of sinkholes close to Ocala city and its environs, starting from the city center.
Sinkholes have destroyed many roadways like U.
S.
441 and I-75.
There are sinkholes all over America, but those places with the highest population and construction work are the places that experience it most.
Sumter County
Sumter city records most of its share of sinkhole activity on the northern side of the city, at I-75, and in its villages.
Few cases are recorded in other parts of the city, like Lake Panasoffkee.
Do homeowners insurance cover sinkholes in Florida?
Damages resulting from sinkholes are not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies.
However, the laws of Florida mandate insurance companies to provide policies that will cover catastrophic ground cover collapses.
FAQS
Is Tampa in sinkhole alley?
Yes, Tamp has three surrounding counties that compose Sinkhole Alley: Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties.
Is Tampa prone to sinkholes?
Tampa is prone to sinkholes.
For instance, two-thirds of the sinkhole damage claims from 2006 to 2010 came from Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties.
What county in Florida has the most sinkholes?
is one of the worst sinkhole areas in the state.
The most sinkholes are Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough cities that make up the sinkhole alley.
These are the cities that top the list of sinkhole activity in Florida.
Which state is number one for sinkholes?
The American
states that record the worst damages from sinkholes
are Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.
