About 7:20 a.m., a sinkhole opened up in the Lake Padgett area of Land O’Lakes. It was very frightening and a neighbor called Pasco County 9-1-1 to report the incident.

Fortunately, no-one was home at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive when the “depression opened up” behind the home. There were dogs in the home, but Pasco Fire Rescue was on the scene by 7:36 and the dogs were removed from the home safely.

The sinkhole is approximately 225 feet in diameter and 50 feet deep. As of 9 a.m. Saturday, July 15, there is no more movement of the sinkhole, but it has grown 4-6 inches in depth.

Shocking Destruction: Families Lose Everything

You can see the destruction by clicking on the video from Pasco County Libraries below. It’s a bit long, and we recommend turning off the sound (buzzing), but it gives a drone’s eye view from the :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXqaUoKvyLo&feature=youtu.be

100 homes in the neighborhood were  without power on Friday, but all had power restored by 3 p.m., except for the homes that were evacuated.

Eleven homes have been affected in all, with two homes destroyed at 21825 and 21835 Ocean Pines Drive. Nine other homes have been tagged as unsafe for entry and were evacuated as a precaution.

How Can You Help?

So, several of these families need our help. There is a Facebook Page set up to help us reach out and donate needed supplies  as well as connect givers, deliverers and receivers, so let’s show our true NatureCoaster spirit and help where we can.

Here is a post from that page of things that are needed for the families that lost their entire homes:

FAMILY NUMBER ONE

Male adult – shirts/jackets size large (wears t-shirts to work)
Jeans – waist 36 length 34
Shorts – 36 waist (large)
Underwear – medium
Shoes – 9 1/2-10 (socks to fit shoe size)
Wears mostly tennis shoes and velcro sandals