HOLIDAY, Fla. — A sinkhole has already swallowed one car and forced a half-dozen families out of their homes in Pasco County, but residents are now dealing with a second hole that opened a short distance from the first.
Fire rescue officials evacuated six nearby trailers following the discovery on Torch Street in Holiday on Monday morning. On Tuesday, Channel 9 learned a second hole opened nearby, which is causing panic among homeowners.
"Wow. That's all I can say, is wow," said neighbor Mary Jane Gluck.
Officials told Channel 9 families rushed to get clothes and other items from their homes on Tuesday as the second hole started opening.
Residents said they never heard the first hole forming and were shocked to find it.
"Nothing. You heard nothing. First thing I heard was a fire truck on the street," said neighbor Vicki Leuthold.
"The car's wheels kind of dipped into the ground, and I'm going, 'That looks like a sinkhole,'" said resident Ken Leuthold. "Pretty soon, it started getting bigger. Fifteen minutes later it was perpendicular to the ground."
"I was watching the news last night. (I) saw the car and now I go down there (and) can't see the car no more," said neighbor Evelyn Grueulich.
The Leutholds live a few homes down from the hole, but they haven't been told to leave.
Pasco County officials said they don't believe that work on a nearby sewer is to blame, but it hasn't been ruled out.
"I've heard of one. Never seen one, so to me, it's terrifying," said resident Theresa Rowell. "If she would've pulled out with the car at that time, she would've been down in the ground with her car."
Neighbors think the first hole, which is about 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep, is getting bigger.
"It's sinking sideways and down more, because you can barely see the wheel at all anymore," said Rowell.
The American Red Cross has been called in to assist residents.