Several residents have been displaced after a deep sinkhole opened beneath the back of a townhome in Orlando’s Villas of Costa Del Sol neighborhood, prompting the city to condemn two homes and bar residents from returning.
A resident told News 6 that Orlando police, the fire department and the Red Cross arrived at the property around 5 p.m. Sunday to help people living in the affected homes get out safely.
News 6 has asked the Red Cross to confirm its response and provide information on what assistance may be available to the displaced residents.
Yasmin Kernek, who lives in the neighborhood, reached out to News 6 after seeing the sinkhole beneath one of the townhomes.
“I think I’m more frustrated that we haven’t heard anything because we’ve had sinkholes before, but none of them have been up against someone’s home,” Kernek said. “That’s very scary.”
[WATCH: Why does Florida have so many sinkholes? Candace Campos explains]
Video from the property shows the sinkhole directly underneath the back portion of a home. Since Sunday afternoon, neon notices have been posted on two townhomes stating they have been condemned by the city of Orlando. That means the people who lived inside were required to leave and are not allowed back in.
Kernek said the situation has left neighbors worried about whether the sinkhole could spread.“We live across the street from that sinkhole. So is it going to spread?” she said. “Is it something we need to be concerned about?”Residents in the community received a message from the homeowners association Monday afternoon saying the sinkhole repairs are the responsibility of the homeowners because the hole is on private property.
The HOA president told News 6 she was not aware of the sinkhole until Monday morning and said roughly seven or eight people have been displaced. The HOA management company told News 6 there is nothing it can do at this time.
News 6 is still waiting to hear back from the city of Orlando about what happens next for the property and the residents who have been forced out. Updates will be provided on ClickOrlando.com as more information becomes available.