Florida Sinkhole News Brief – December 2025

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

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

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

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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

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

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