Local

Crews fill gaping hole in I-4 median in Osceola County

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Crews filled a hole Friday morning in the median of Interstate 4 near Osceola County's Celebration development.

The depression, which was about 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep, was reported Thursday afternoon near World Drive, the Florida Department of Transportation said.

It took five truckloads of dirt to fill in the hole, FDOT said.

Experts believe the lack of rain in the area contributed to the hole's formation, as water in the ground helps to hold the soil together.

"With the drought in place right now, that too can cause the ground above it to collapse as that void is created underneath," WFTV meteorologist Eboni Deon said.

The hole didn't cause any lane closures, FDOT officials said.

Generally not as deep as a sink hole, depressions are difficult to predict and the area should be monitored to make sure more don't form, University of Central Florida professor Manoj Chopra said.

"Depressions are good signs of potential sinkhole activity," Chopra said.

Driver Dave Shadick understood that this type of situation is common for the state, but was still concerned that more depressions could open up, this time in the roadway.

"It's one of those things we live with and, unfortunately, it's part of being a Floridian," he said. "My personally, I would be concerned. I don't think I'll drive that way."