Florida Sinkhole News Brief – November 2025

Dixie County

Local context: community activity and why sinkhole awareness matters in Dixie County

• Cross City and local nonprofits remain active this season, with community events and support programs that underscore how much residents rely on local roads, parks, and private property. Participation in the Dixie Turkey Trot and targeted donations to school and food programs reinforce community ties while increasing day to day exposure to local infrastructure.
• Because Dixie County sits within North Central Florida, where karst geology is present, even routine digging or heavy rain can reveal ground instability. Residents should note new depressions, cracks in pavement, or sudden changes in vegetation and report them promptly to county authorities.
• Stay informed about local outreach and preparedness through trusted local outlets so small signs of subsidence can be identified before they become emergencies.

Sources: WCJB Local | Residents in Cross City participated in Dixie Turkey Trot

Recent nearby incident: 40-foot sinkhole rescue in Alachua County and implications for Dixie

• On Nov. 27, Alachua County Fire Rescue conducted a high-angle operation after a dog fell roughly 40 feet into a sinkhole. The response highlights how suddenly karst features can open and how first responders prioritize life safety even in complex confined spaces.
• That event, while in a neighboring county, is a practical reminder for Dixie County landowners and leaders that sinkholes are not hypothetical. Similar subsurface limestone and aquifer conditions exist regionally, so localized collapses can occur after heavy rainfall, changes to drainage, or subsurface erosion.
• Homeowners should secure animals, avoid entering unstable depressions, and notify emergency services or county public works when ground collapse or new voids appear.

Sources: Alachua County Fire Rescue saves dog from 40-foot sinkhole | WCJB Local

State-level background and practical steps: why sinkholes form in Florida and what to do

• Florida sits on a karst limestone platform that is prone to dissolution by groundwater. Over time this creates underground cavities, springs, and sinkholes. Areas with porous limestone and high groundwater fluctuation are the most susceptible but collapses can happen across the state.
• For residents, common warning signs include sudden depressions in yards, new or widening cracks in foundations or driveways, doors and windows that jam, and changes in well water clarity or flow. If you observe these signs, do not disturb the area and contact county emergency management or public works to request an assessment.
• Property owners should document changes with photos, avoid draining or filling depressions without professional guidance, and consult their homeowner insurance and local geological resources for next steps and mitigation.

Sources: Geography of Florida — Wikipedia

Bay County

Lake Jackson and Lake Miccosukee sinkholes exposed — local karst activity observed

• Recent field reporting documents Porter Sink at Lake Jackson reappearing after a prolonged dry period and the smaller, more frequently exposed sinkholes at Lake Miccosukee. The exposures are linked to regional drought conditions and dynamic karst beneath the Floridan Aquifer; observers recorded exposed lake bed features, bluegill nesting cavities, birds feeding on invertebrates in newly revealed mud, and rapid changes after short rains.
• Practical implications for residents and managers include unstable basin edges after rain, shifting shoreline habitat, and the risk that local drainage or groundwater changes can rapidly alter lake connectivity. Continued monitoring is advised to track refilling, wildlife response, and any hazards to people or adjacent infrastructure.

Sources: WFSU Ecology Blog

Clearwater crater disrupts traffic after stormwater pipe failure

• A crater opened in Seville Boulevard near the Clearwater Mall and Costco after stormwater pipes burst, disrupting traffic on routes near U.S. 19. City and police crews closed lanes for public safety while crews assessed the void and managed traffic flow; officials said the hole formed as a direct consequence of failed stormwater infrastructure.
• The incident underscores how pipe failures and concentrated runoff can produce sudden ground collapse. Bay County agencies should review stormwater assets, prioritize inspection of high-traffic corridors prone to saturation, and advise the public to avoid work zones until repairs are certified.

Sources: Tampa Bay Times

Emergency repairs underway on a Pacifica sinkhole — infrastructure stress example

• Pacifica crews began emergency mitigation on a sinkhole along Beach Boulevard that developed rapidly and threatened roadway integrity. The local report describes shoring, temporary traffic measures, and plans for longer term fixes as engineers evaluate underlying causes and mitigation options.
• For Bay County planners this is a reminder that coastal and urban sinkholes often emerge from interacting factors: aging utilities, stormwater concentration, and subsurface erosion. Proactive inspection and fast, transparent repair plans reduce disruptions and safety risk.

Sources: Coastside News

Regional sinkhole reporting shows common causes and response patterns

• A rolling compilation of sinkhole stories from the Bay Area highlights recurring drivers: water main breaks, storm surge and heavy rainfall, and roadway subsidence. Coverage of multiple incidents shows a common emergency response pattern of closures, rapid assessment, and staged repairs while investigators identify root causes.
• The takeaway for Bay County is operational. Maintain prioritized asset inventories for water and storm systems, ensure rapid response protocols for roadway collapse, and communicate hazard zones to the public so residents avoid unstable edges and emergency work areas.

Sources: CBS News Bay Area – Sinkhole tag

Clay County

FDOT Ayers Road Extension: karst vulnerability and the call for No Build

• The Florida Department of Transportation’s Ayers Road Feasibility Study proposes a new corridor across terrain mapped with sinkholes, high infiltration and direct connections to the Upper Floridan aquifer. Local advocates and the Sierra Club filed comments urging the No Build alternative to avoid placing new impervious surfaces and heavy roadway loads over uncertain cavities.
• State guidance and peer-reviewed work identify west-central Florida as karst-prone; adding roads increases exposure and can trigger collapse while redirecting stormwater may transport pollutants into spring systems.
• Practical steps recommended include prioritizing upgrades to existing roads, demanding detailed subsurface investigations before any corridor selection, and using the public Visual Preference Survey to register opposition.

Sources: Sierra Club Ayers Road Visual Preference Survey | Public Workshop | Ayers Road Extension | FDEP: The Favorability of Florida’s Geology to Sinkhole Formation (2017) | Upchurch – Nexus of Florida’s groundwater and karst (2016) | Knochenmus & Yobbi – Hydrology of Coastal Springs Basin (USGS) | Weiss et al. – Stormwater infiltration and contamination (2008) | Rasmussen et al. – Roads and Florida wildlife (IFAS)

Surface collapse at a proposed sand-mining site: aquifer links and spring risks

• Excavation at the Suncoast Parkway Extension prompted a surface collapse; a bucket excavator dropped into a watery pit that refilled from the bottom up over weeks, a pattern consistent with direct connection to the surficial and Floridan aquifers rather than simple stormwater pooling.
• The site lies adjacent to first-magnitude springs and within a Springs Priority Focus Area, raising credible threats to spring water quality and to the Crystal River complex if excavation shortcuts subsurface protections.
• Residents and conservation groups are demanding agency accountability, urging FDOT and elected officials to halt further excavation pending hydrogeologic study, and directing public comment to listed contacts and organized campaigns.

Sources: SuncoastParkwayPDE.com | StopTheSandMine.com | Contact FDOT consultant Anil Sharma (email) | Sierra Club Adventure Coast: Stop the Sand Mine coverage

Remote sensing and international sinkhole science: tools Clay County should adopt

• Research from the Dead Sea and other karst regions demonstrates how InSAR, drone photogrammetry, transient electromagnetic surveys and repeat optical imagery map subsidence, detect active dissolution corridors, and quantify formation probabilities over time.
• Studies show rapid, measurable increases in sinkhole counts where groundwater decline or flood recharge mobilizes subsurface salts or carbonates; those methods translate to Florida’s karst where early detection can guide targeted inspections and infrastructure triage.
• Clay County officials should consider pilot monitoring on known recharge zones and transportation corridors, pair geophysical surveys with borehole data, and fund a baseline InSAR/optical time series to prioritize mitigation.

Sources: Dead Sea location map and study (ResearchGate) | Scaling and exceedance probability of sinkhole collapse (preprint) | Transient electromagnetic imaging of saltwater intrusion (ResearchGate) | Remote sensing and geophysical applications in the Dead Sea region (ResearchGate)

Alachua County

Emergency lane closure after small sinkhole opens on Southwest 24th Avenue

• A small sinkhole opened along a stretch of Southwest 24th Avenue between Southwest 91st Street and Southwest 87th Way on Nov. 12, 2025. Traffic cones and emergency signage were placed and the county closed the affected lane to through traffic while engineers assessed the feature. No injuries were reported and initial observations described the hole as limited to the roadway surface rather than a larger collapse affecting adjacent properties.
• County crews and transportation officials moved quickly to stabilize the scene and reroute traffic. The closure created localized congestion and required short-term detours for commuters and school routes. Officials advised motorists to follow posted detours and avoid parking near the damaged section until geotechnical inspections conclude.
• Next steps include a formal subsurface assessment, repair estimates and a timeline for reopening. Residents should report new ground changes near roadways and expect intermittent work zones while repair work is scheduled.

Sources: WUFT

Alachua County Fire Rescue rescues dog from 40-foot sinkhole

• On Nov. 27, 2025 Alachua County Fire Rescue conducted an animal rescue after a dog fell into a sinkhole roughly 40 feet deep. First responders located the animal at the base of the hole and launched a targeted rescue operation to secure and extricate it. Local media reported that crews worked methodically and that the dog was retrieved alive; statements from emergency personnel emphasized rapid coordination and rescue training as decisive factors.
• The incident highlighted a different but related hazard: sinkholes can form suddenly and present both public safety and animal welfare risks. Officials urged residents to keep a safe distance from unstable ground, to leash pets near areas of recent ground disturbance and to report any new depressions to public works.
• County engineers will inspect the site to determine the sinkhole’s cause and whether nearby infrastructure requires remediation. Expect temporary access restrictions while subsurface evaluations and safety measures are completed.

Sources: WCJB

Large commercial parking-lot sinkhole disrupts customers at shopping center

• A previously reported large sinkhole in a shopping center parking lot measured about 30 feet across and 18 feet deep, forcing store closures and disrupting customer access. The collapse removed a substantial portion of the asphalt surface and required immediate cordoning of the area to protect the public and allow investigators to evaluate the failure. Business owners and patrons experienced supply and access interruptions while safety and repair plans were developed.
• Geotechnical teams typically investigate such collapses to identify whether natural karst conditions, stormwater infrastructure failure, or construction-related factors were primary contributors. Local authorities coordinate with property owners and insurers to establish remediation responsibilities and to prioritize repairs that restore safe access.
• The episode underscores the vulnerability of built infrastructure to sudden ground movement in karst-prone regions. Property managers are advised to monitor drainage, respond to subsidence reports promptly and consult geotechnical specialists before reopening affected areas.

Sources: KOLD (archive of WCJB coverage)