Of all the things we have to be scared of in Florida, from alligators to hurricanes, I think sinkholes might be the scariest. I don’t know about you, but the idea that the earth can just swallow up your house with no warning, possibly with you still inside, scares the you-know-what out of me. Florida is the worst state in the country for sinkholes, due to being on top of porous rocks, which allow water to move underground, eventually causing the rocks to dissolve. The risk is highest in the center of Florida’s west coast, and there are many areas that have very little risk. Fatalities do occur, but luckily, they’re rare. Here’s a look back at some of the worst sinkholes in Florida in recent memory.
- Dover, 2010
Ann Tihansky via Flickr/U.S. Geological Survey According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 100 sinkholes occurred during a freeze in Dover in 2010. This was attributed to farmers pumping groundwater in anticipation of the freeze. When the groundwater is removed too quickly, vulnerable areas can see a huge rise in sinkholes. The sinkholes in Dover that year caused destruction of roads, homes, and cultivated areas. Dover, FL 33527, USA
- Florida High School, Tallahassee, 1962
www.floridamemory.com In this picture, onlookers came from a soccer field less than 200 yards away to see the sinkhole. Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Dunedin, 2013
Flickr/John S. Quarterman
Flickr/John S. Quarterman The boat, pool, and house fell into 90-foot wide and 60-foot deep sinkhole. Out of concern for safety, homes were condemned and demolished. Dunedin, FL, USA
- Winter Park, 1981
Florida State Archives via Flickr/Florida Memory
www.floridamemory.com The 300-foot wide sinkhole swallowed a house, car repair shop and cars, as well as a community pool. Winter Park, FL, USA
- Ocala, 1950s
www.floridamemory.com Residents of Ocala continue to experience sinkholes of various sizes. Ocala, FL, USA
- Alligator Road, Franklin County, 2005
www.floridamemory.com This sinkhole resulted in the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis. Alligator Drive, Alligator Dr, Florida 32346, USA
- Frostproof, 1991
www.floridamemory.com The owner barely escaped this home she had just bought. This massive sinkhole measured over 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep. Frostproof, FL 33843, USA
Scary, right? Just remember, sinkholes aren’t all bad, a lot of Florida’s lakes, swimming holes, and jaw-dropping underwater caves started out as sinkholes.
Ann Tihansky via Flickr/U.S. Geological Survey
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 100 sinkholes occurred during a freeze in Dover in 2010. This was attributed to farmers pumping groundwater in anticipation of the freeze. When the groundwater is removed too quickly, vulnerable areas can see a huge rise in sinkholes. The sinkholes in Dover that year caused destruction of roads, homes, and cultivated areas.
Dover, FL 33527, USA
In this picture, onlookers came from a soccer field less than 200 yards away to see the sinkhole.
Tallahassee, FL, USA
Flickr/John S. Quarterman
The boat, pool, and house fell into 90-foot wide and 60-foot deep sinkhole. Out of concern for safety, homes were condemned and demolished.
Dunedin, FL, USA
Florida State Archives via Flickr/Florida Memory
The 300-foot wide sinkhole swallowed a house, car repair shop and cars, as well as a community pool.
Winter Park, FL, USA
Residents of Ocala continue to experience sinkholes of various sizes.
Ocala, FL, USA
This sinkhole resulted in the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis.
Alligator Drive, Alligator Dr, Florida 32346, USA
The owner barely escaped this home she had just bought. This massive sinkhole measured over 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep.
Frostproof, FL 33843, USA
Have you ever encountered a sinkhole near where you live? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Living In Florida December 17, 2022 Katie Feldkamp What are some scary facts when it comes to living in Florida? Known as the Sunshine State, people are quick to associate Florida with sandy beaches and fun ocean waters. But when it comes to living in Florida, there are some facts to be made aware of, such as:
Florida has the highest number of shark attacks in the United States. Florida has the most damage-related sinkholes in the United States. Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. It should go without saying, but Florida is at high risk for hurricanes.
What are some of the best things about living in Florida? Who wants to stop reading on a scary note? Let’s close out by highlighting some of the best aspects of living in Florida:
Florida has more golf courses than anywhere else in the United States. Take a trip to EPCOT in Disney World, and you can travel the world in a day! Having originated in the Florida Keys, Floridians make a really good key lime pie. Florida has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Check out this article and take a moment to appreciate all the great things that come with living in Florida!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Living In Florida
December 17, 2022
Katie Feldkamp
What are some scary facts when it comes to living in Florida? Known as the Sunshine State, people are quick to associate Florida with sandy beaches and fun ocean waters. But when it comes to living in Florida, there are some facts to be made aware of, such as:
Florida has the highest number of shark attacks in the United States. Florida has the most damage-related sinkholes in the United States. Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. It should go without saying, but Florida is at high risk for hurricanes.
What are some of the best things about living in Florida? Who wants to stop reading on a scary note? Let’s close out by highlighting some of the best aspects of living in Florida:
Florida has more golf courses than anywhere else in the United States. Take a trip to EPCOT in Disney World, and you can travel the world in a day! Having originated in the Florida Keys, Floridians make a really good key lime pie. Florida has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Check out this article and take a moment to appreciate all the great things that come with living in Florida!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Known as the Sunshine State, people are quick to associate Florida with sandy beaches and fun ocean waters. But when it comes to living in Florida, there are some facts to be made aware of, such as:
- Florida has the highest number of shark attacks in the United States.
- Florida has the most damage-related sinkholes in the United States.
- Florida is the lightning capital of the United States.
- It should go without saying, but Florida is at high risk for hurricanes.
What are some of the best things about living in Florida?
Who wants to stop reading on a scary note? Let’s close out by highlighting some of the best aspects of living in Florida:
- Florida has more golf courses than anywhere else in the United States.
- Take a trip to EPCOT in Disney World, and you can travel the world in a day!
- Having originated in the Florida Keys, Floridians make a really good key lime pie.
- Florida has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Check out this article and take a moment to appreciate all the great things that come with living in Florida!
