Florida Sinkhole News Brief – December 2025

Bay County

Seville Boulevard collapses near Clearwater Mall after stormwater pipe failure

• A hole opened on Seville Boulevard near the Clearwater Mall and Costco after a stormwater pipe burst beneath the roadway, closing westbound lanes and affecting the northbound access to U.S. 19. Clearwater police advised motorists to use exits on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard while crews assess the scene.
• City officials say soil flowed into the failed pipe, creating a void under the pavement that caused the road to crater. Public works warned the collapse may be deeper than it appears and blocked two lanes to keep drivers at a safe distance; the department did not provide an exact depth measurement.
• Brixmor Property Group, owner of Clearwater Mall, maintains the broken stormwater infrastructure and will be responsible for repairs, but the company has not given a timeline for restoring access. Traffic remained disrupted into the following business day as officials coordinated repairs and detours.

Sources: Tampa Bay Times

Orange County

Heavy rain and burn-scar runoff elevate sinkhole risk in Orange County, FL

• The dataset reports repeated heavy downpours, flash flooding, mudslides and evacuation orders around burn scar zones after the Airport Fire, conditions that produce rapid runoff and ground saturation. In Orange County, FL, similar intense rainfall over susceptible limestone and artificially filled areas can accelerate subsurface erosion and increase the likelihood of sudden ground collapse.
• Watch for early warning signs: new or enlarging depressions, doors or windows that stick, sudden cracks in pavement, and unexpected changes in standing water or sewage lines. If any signs appear, move people away from the area, avoid driving or parking on suspect ground, and report to local emergency management and utilities.
• Practical actions include documenting and photographing changes, marking hazardous areas, and consulting county building or geotechnical officials before reoccupying damaged sites. The source coverage of California storms underscores how burn scars and prolonged rainfall create cascading hazards; residents should treat extended heavy rain events as elevated sinkhole risk and follow official evacuation guidance.

Sources: CBS News

Palm Beach County

Woman killed in stabbing at Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens

• On the evening of December 22, Palm Beach Gardens police responded to a reported stabbing at the Barnes & Noble on Legacy Avenue and found 65-year-old Rita B. Loncharich critically injured; Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue began lifesaving measures and transported her to a local hospital, where she later died. Officers arrived at about 7:53 p.m., and customers at the store described shock and distress in the aftermath; reporters spoke with Loncharich’s husband off camera. Investigators are treating the event as a homicide and have not released details on any suspects as the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department continues its inquiry and interviews.

Sources: 13WHAM

Arrest made in Tekashi 6ix9ine home invasion; luxury items and drugs recovered

• Palm Beach County deputies linked a suspect to a November 16 home invasion at the residence of rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine after evidence placed the suspect’s phone in the area; three masked armed intruders confronted the homeowner’s mother and stole jewelry, designer purses and cash. The victim reported losses that included Van Cleef earrings valued at $2,600, a diamond necklace reported at $25,000, two designer purses totaling about $4,000, roughly $400 in cash, and multiple credit cards and an ID. A December 19 warrant at Pedro Rodriguez’s West Palm Beach residence yielded the stolen purses, clothing matching surveillance descriptions, a firearm believed tied to the incident, and narcotics; Rodriguez was arrested and faces charges including residential robbery with a firearm, kidnapping, grand theft over $20,000 and selling a Schedule I substance.

Sources: 13WHAM

Putnam County

Tenants at Westside property tied to other troubled complexes go without water days ahead of holiday

• A sinkhole has appeared at the rear of the Westside complex and residents at Grassy Pond Apartments reported losing running water for basic needs starting the Friday before the holiday. The property, formerly managed by Peoples Choice Apartments and now under Legacy Family Communities, faces acute habitability problems while the geological issue is assessed. Tenants described being unable to use sinks, toilets, or showers and said many had to travel to gas stations and grocery stores to wash and use restroom facilities. JEA reported the master meter had been shut off after a repair request; residents said communication from the manager about the outage and a restoration timeline was minimal and unclear.

Sources: News4JAX

City orders 48-hour repairs at Westside apartments after residents go 4 days without water

• City officials ordered the Westside complex to complete repairs within 48 hours after residents reported going four days without water, citing public health and safety concerns. Tenants publicly decried a lack of timely communication from property management while the complex remains under scrutiny for prior safety and maintenance issues. Local reporting indicates JEA intervened at the master meter level and that water service was later restored, but the action prompted the municipal order and renewed oversight of the property’s maintenance practices. The city’s directive aims to force immediate, verifiable repairs and clearer resident communications as authorities monitor both the sinkhole and the complex’s broader management history.

Sources: News4JAX

St. Johns County

Westside apartment sinkhole leaves tenants without water ahead of holiday

• 1) A sinkhole reportedly opened at the rear of Grassy Pond Apartments on California Avenue, and water was turned off on Friday, leaving residents without sinks, toilets, or showers. Many tenants have been forced to travel to nearby gas stations and grocery stores to use restrooms and wash dishes.
• 2) JEA confirmed the water was shut off through the complex master meter. Property management requested a shutdown to conduct repairs, but the utility says the shutdown occurred at the master meter and residents received limited communication about timing for restoration.
• 3) The complex, formerly managed by Peoples Choice Apartments and now managed by Legacy Family Communities, is identified in reporting as tied to other troubled properties, adding context to tenant complaints about maintenance and communication.
• 4) The outage arrived days before the holiday and has caused acute hardship for tenants; photos and on-site reporting document the apparent sinkhole while residents await clearer timelines from management and the utility.

Sources: News4JAX – Sinkhole on apartment property leaves Westside residents without water since Friday | News4JAX – Tenants at Westside property tied to other troubled complexes go without water days ahead of holiday

Washington County

Tourists rescued from submerged van after heavy Christmas Eve rainfall; culvert damage reported

• Heavy rainfall of more than four inches fell across northern Washington County on Christmas Eve, producing rapid runoff and a water rescue at Baker Dam when a van entered the dam overflow and stalled in flowing water. The vehicle contained four tourists from Nevada who stayed inside and called 911 as roughly a foot of water filled the van.
• Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue units arrived about 8 p.m., removed the occupants without injury and returned them to their lodging. Battalion Chief Ryan D’Ambrosio said the occupants’ decision to remain in the vehicle and call for help was the correct response; crews noted water levels increased later that night.
• The National Weather Service reported about four inches at Pine Valley Mountain; the storm blocked the road into Pine Valley with debris and damaged a newly constructed culvert at Meadow View and Main. Washington County Emergency Services credited ongoing mitigation projects with preventing residential damage during this event.

Sources: St. George News

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