Sinkhole surprise in front yard of Anderson County man
ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A homeowner in Anderson County got a frightening surprise when a large sinkhole opened in his front yard last month. The collapse on Steve Disney’s property is unusually deep — at least 45 feet — and aligns with two earlier sinkholes on the same land.
“When I walked through the yard, I saw this black spot and I walked over there and seen this big hole in the ground.”
— Steve Disney
The sinkhole sits about 25 feet from Disney’s house. He reports hearing running water beneath the ground during quiet moments. Behind the home there is a hollow with a rock cave and a fast-running stream — conditions consistent with karst terrain that produces sinkholes, caves and underground waterways.
Disney says there’s a third sinkhole behind the property that used to be shallow but is now between 15 and 20 feet deep, increasing concern about continued collapse and property safety.
“Until I find out what is going on down there, yes, I’m going to block it off to keep anybody out of it.”
— Steve Disney
What caused it?
Sinkholes are common in karst landscapes underlain by porous limestone. Over time, water dissolves rock and creates underground cavities. When the surface soil can no longer bridge those cavities, it collapses and forms a sinkhole. In this case, visible caves and a subsurface stream point to natural karst processes.
Response and next steps
Although Disney’s property is not on TVA land, TVA engineers inspected the site and recommended he consult a contract engineer for a detailed assessment and remediation options. Local homeowners with similar conditions should consider professional geotechnical evaluation before attempting repairs.
Warning signs of a sinkhole
- New or widening cracks in foundations or interior walls
- Cracks, depressions or sudden changes in ground level outside
- Tilted trees, fence posts or utility poles
- Doors or windows that become difficult to open or close
If you notice these signs, contact a qualified engineer or local authorities to evaluate the risk.
Report originally published by Don Dare on WATE 6 On Your Side. For the original article and image, visit: WATE – Sinkhole surprise in front yard of Anderson County man.
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