Possible sinkhole forces Lake County residents out of their homes

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Several residents at a Lake County apartment complex have been forced to leave their homes after a possible sinkhole was discovered underneath one of the buildings.

Management at the Hampton Villas Apartments on Lincoln Avenue in Mount Dora has moved five families of out their homes while engineers inspect the building. Officials at the complex are concerned that a sinkhole is growing underneath the apartments.

"Not only is the floor going down, the walls are coming in," resident Nestor Concepcion said.

Yellow caution tape surrounds the building and red warning signs have been posted telling residents the structure is severely damaged and it's unsafe to enter. Although the building looks fine on the outside, there are cracks in the floor and damage inside the units, residents said.

Another resident, Joediel Alvarado, and his family are among the five displaced families. When the possible sinkhole was discovered, Alvarado's family was told to move out as soon as possible.

"Like in one hour we had to take everything out," Alvarado said. "The people that are analyzing the ground said 'you got to get them out of there.'"

Several residents said they are grateful that management discovered the issue and they got out in time.

"Everyone has been able to move out, we thank God for that," Concepcion said.

Alvarado said his family have been staying with relatives and they haven't been told if they will ever be able to return. Management told WFTV structural engineers and their insurance company are investigating the possible sinkhole and they expect to know more soon.

WFTV