Last week, the ground cracked open in front of a South Florida gated community. Firefighters arrived at Cooper City’s Biltmore Grove just after 1:30 p.m. AT&T subcontractors had apparently busted a water main during an excavation outside the neighborhood, and the rupture caused water to flow from the roadway and created a sinkhole measuring about 15 feet by 15 feet, Broward Fire Rescue said.
No injuries have been reported however officials urge residents to use bottled water. It is unclear when repairs will be done.
Cooper City isn’t a stranger to sinkholes. In 2016, a sinkhole opened up in a McDonald’s parking lot and almost swallowed a car with a woman and her 4-year-old grandson inside.
The reality is that the number of sinkholes in Florida have increased since Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. Tampa Bay is already especially prone to sinkholes because of the old limestone with deep cavities. Add some rain to the mix and the ground is even more unstable.
According to the Florida Geological Survey more than 400 sinkholes have been reported in the state since Irma wreaked havoc on the Sunshine State. Meteorologists predict the upcoming hurricane season could be just as destructive causing a ripple effect in which the ground gives way.
Sinkholes are a natural phenomenon, but it’s impact is exacerbated by the fact that more sinkholes develop with time, particularly when triggered by large storm events such as hurricanes. Florida has more sinkhole activity than any other state in the country.
Corless Barfield Trial Group is a full-service sinkhole law firm. We are known for our team’s thorough investigations and litigation practice when it comes to sinkhole claims and fighting insurance companies on behalf of our policyholder clients.
We look forward to sharing with you more information about our recent sinkhole victory on behalf of our clients at Cloverplace. For now, you can read about the verdict in the Tampa Bay Times.
Our firm concentrates its practice in the area of property insurance law, specifically dealing with sinkhole claims. Due to the fact that repairs to sinkhole damaged property can be expensive, insurance companies look for reasons to delay, underpay, or deny these claims. It is important to have a team of knowledgeable property damage attorneys with a proven track record of success to help you understand your homeowner’s or business insurance policy.
For Florida residential and commercial property owners, sinkholes can be a catastrophic problem. Call us today toll-free at (877) 517-5595 or locally at 813-258-4998 for questions about sinkhole claims and property damage disputes.