20-Foot-Deep Depression Opens In River Ridge Subdivision

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Pasco County officials have tagged two homes as unsafe to enter after a depression opened up Tuesday night, Sept. 4, between the two homes in the gated River Ridge subdivision of New Port Richey.

Kevin Guthrie, assistant county administrator for public safety, said the depression looks to be 40 to 50 feet wide and 20 to 25 feet deep but could extend as much as 100 feet wide beneath the foundation of one of the homes.

That will have to be determined by the geotechnical engineer being sent out Wednesday, Sept. 5, by the homeowner's insurance company, he said.

At the time the hole opened, both homes were unoccupied. One homeowner was out of town and is flying back to Tampa Wednesday. The other was at a doctor's appointment in Tampa and arrived home at about 8 p.m. Tuesday to discover the depression.

About half the hole is under a home at 11439 Dorian Court. The hole is next to, but not under, a home at 11433 Dorian Court as well.

Pasco County building inspector Anthony Mastracchio said both homes have been tagged as "unsafe to enter." The homeowners were permitted to go into the homes to retrieve paperwork and necessary items. After that, entry to the homes will be at their own risk, said Mastracchio.

"We’re not going to tell them they can’t go into their own homes if they wish to," he said.

Although some pavers have collapsed, both homes appear structurally intact, he said.

"No new cracks have been detected but we'll continue to monitor the situation," Guthrie said, adding that no other homes in the subdivision have been impacted.

Unlike last year's Land O' Lakes sinkhole, Guthrie said this depression is entirely on private property so it will be up to the homeowners' insurance companies to determine what steps will be taken.

Both families declined Red Cross assistance and have made other living arrangements.

Image via Pasco County

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