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Sinkhole threatens Pasco County homes

HOLIDAY -- The 20-foot wide possible sinkhole that opened up under the driveway of a Holiday home during the weekend apparently is not growing.

Authorities say the hole has stopped growing, but they aren't sure how it opened up. Engineers and sinkhole experts will be back at the home at 4923 Calais Drive on Monday.

Authorities were called to the site mid-morning Sunday after resident Carol Bowers walked outside and discovered her driveway mostly missing. The impacted home and some neighboring homes were evacuated, but the neighbors were allowed back into their homes after it was determined the hole was not expanding.

Bowers said she felt fortunate she hadn't parked in the driveway or, worse, backed out of her garage without looking.

She and some of her neighbors said they were concerned about more holes opening in the neighborhood.

"It made me a little bit weary because it's so close to my house and it's a good-sized hole," George Kimball said. "They could put a car in it. (Biowers') car is still in the garage; she can't get it out."

Authorities could not immediately confirm that the hole is a sinkhole. They said it was possible that water pumping created a cavity, causing the driveway to cave in.

No injuries were reported. It was unclear how much, if any, structural damage the affected home sustained. It was unclear whether the hole extended beneath the garage.