3rd Seffner Sinkhole Increases Community Concerns

The latest sinkhole to open in Seffner has heightened the concern of residents in Greater Brandon and beyond, as evidenced by their concerns posted in comments to a recent Brandon Patch post.

• See Another Sinkhole Opens in Seffner

"Someone needs to figure out why these sinkholes are happening and we all need to keep a lookout no matter where you are," wrote Brandon Patch reader Stacie Jones. "And we need to find a way to prevent these sinkholes because they are are scary."

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and code enforcement officials were on the scene this weekend at the sinkhole between 1425 and 1427 Lake Shore Ranch Drive in Seffner.

It was the third reported sinkhole in Seffner since Feb. 28, when Jeffrey Bush 36, died after the bedroom he was sleeping in was consumed by a catastrophic sinkhole at 240 Faithway Drive.

That sinkhole, described as "unprecedented," caused the home to be demolished and the two neighboring homes to be evacuated, leaving many families, including the Wicker and Jaudon families, displaced.

A second sinkhole opened up in Seffner days later, between two homes, at 1204 and 1206 Cedar Tree Lane. That sinkhole is 3.4 miles from the Lake Shore Ranch Drive sinkhole, which reportedly opened March 23, at around 7 p.m.

It was described as "approximately 8 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep."

"Most likely it's due to our use of underground water sources, such as aquifers and springs," answered a reader named Gale, in answer to the reader's concern about what what causes sinkholes. "This depletes the water, lowering the water table, and causing the ground above to collapse."

Her conclusion, though, gives more cause for concern: "The whole state of Florida is going to be swallowed by a giant sinkhole."

That doomsday alert notwithstanding, one reader expressed concern that sinkholes are reported in the first place.

"It this happened to me I'd just try to conceal it and keep quiet about it," wrote a reader identified as CJ. "I'm sure even the neighbors woudl keep it a secret, because often it gets them kicked off their property."

"Surprised?" answered a reader named Sarah. "Would you want to go back in your home if you thought the sinkhole would swallow your house up along with your family and/or animals? I woudl be very upset if you invited me to your home knowing there was even a remote possibility [of a sinkhole opening up]."

Bruce raised the concern level even higher.

"If they are going to report every sinkhole that opens up in Florida, they might as well start a newspaper dedicated to it," he said. "I've lived in Pinellas County for 42 years and cannot even come close to remembering all that I have seen."

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See what else readers are saying, and add your comments to the mix, at Another Sinkhole Opens in Seffner.

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RELATED SEFFNER SINKHOLE COVERAGE:

• Community Aids Displaced Seffner Sinkhole Victims

• Memorial Announced for Sinkhole Victim

• Jaudon Family Displaced in Seffner Sinkhole Tragedy

• HuffPost Live Looks at Seffner Sinkhole Tragedy: 'Saving Us From Sinkholes'

• Seffner Sinkhole Video: 'In a Flash It Happens and the Whole World's Changed'

• Video: Final Walls Come Down on Seffner Sinkhole at 240 Faithway Drive

• 2nd Seffner Sinkhole Under Investigation as Stabilization Work Continues

• Seffner Sinkhole Homeowner: 'God Has a Plan'
  

• Seffner Sinkhole Victim Officially 'Presumed' Deceased

• Readers React to Seffner Sinkhole Tragedy

• Family Treasures Salvaged from Seffner Sinkhole Demolition
  

• Demolition Under Way at Seffner Sinkhole Site

• More Photos From the Seffner Sinkhole Site

• Seffner Sinkhole Operation Readies for Impending Demolition

• 3rd Home 'Compromised' at Seffner Sinkhole Site; Relief Fund Established

• Video: Deputy Douglas Duvall Recounts Seffner Sinkhole Heroics

• Situation 'Extremely Unsafe' at Seffner Sinkhole Site

• Family Member Recalls Horror of Seffner Sinkhole Tragedy

• Photos From the Scene of Sinkhole in Seffner

• Video: Hillsborough Fire Chief Discusses Seffner Sinkhole

• Hillsborough County Among Top 10 Sinkhole-Prone Florida Counties

• Update: Sinkhole Swallows Seffner Man Sleeping in Bed

• Video of Deputy Who Worked To Save Men From Sinkhole
  

• Video: Man Could Hear His Brother Screaming

• Video: Fire Chief Answers Questions             

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