JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Could you be at risk for a sinkhole in your back yard? It's a question many in Northeast Florida have asked after a massive sinkhole killed a man just outside of Tampa.
Action News did some digging and found out there have been more than 10 documented sinkhole incidents in Duval County alone in the past two years, one of them right here on Gullege Drive.
"They told me that the house had underground holes that couldn't be fixed," said neighbor Richard Blount.
Blount lives right next door to the documented sinkhole. He says his neighbors were forced to move out for their safety, and now he has concerns about his own home, just feet away.
"Especially after hearing what happened in South Florida," he said. "It had me thinking, what could happen over here to this house."
Geologists say any area that sits on top of limestone is susceptible to sinkholes. Jacksonville does sit on limestone, but it also has a protective layer of clay, that a lot of southern cities lack.
"When you have areas that have less clay and more sand, you can see sinkholes up here. It's just not as common," said Jacksonville University geologist Jeremy Stalker.
That's information that makes Blount feel a bit better, but not enough to forget.
"I'll probably have it inspected soon," said Blount.
Two lakes near Camp Blanding were actually formed as sinkholes, including Lake Kingsley and nearby Lake Sampson.
