Proudly serving all of Florida with offices in Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers

Drought, Rain, and Sinkholes

Jul 11, 2012 | Residential Blog Posts

heliconusaWe may be happy that the sun is shining again after tropical storm Debby drenched our state with torrential rains just recently. While it’s true that those of us who live in Florida must face the occasional tropical storm — or even the possibility of a hurricane — during Summer and Fall, Debby reminds us of the damage these natural events can leave behind. In her wake, Debby left a lot of water-related damage to roads and property, spawned numerous tornadoes, and caused an alarming number sinkholes to form. Read on.

If you’re reading the news or watching TV lately, it seems like the ground is opening up and swallowing up homes and properties all over the state. Just a few weeks ago, it was drought conditions that seemed to be causing sinkholes. How are droughts, or too much rain, associated with sinkhole activity?

To answer this question, we must look back into Florida’s geological history. Once upon a time, Florida was much larger than it is today, but as the Ice Age ended, large parts of Florida disappeared beneath the sea. During its time under the sea, the skeletons of billions and billions of sea animals, like sponges and mollusks, were deposited on the seafloor that formed the limestone platform on which our state now sits. Erosion of the thousands of feet of limestone bedrock caused by the acid in rainwater shaped Florida’s unstable karst landscape. Beneath our feet are rock cavities, disappearing streams, springs, caves, and a vast aquifer.

The water in Florida’s aquifer is what keeps the layers of sand and clay above the limestone bedrock somewhat stable. In the case of drought, if water levels in the aquifer falls, that support system is gone. What is left behind are sometimes cavernous-sized empty spaces or voids. Limestone is not a very hard rock — it breaks and dissolves easily. Over thousands of years, the limestone bedrock has developed many cavities and fractures. If the layers of sand and clay above it are too heavy, parts of the limestone bedrock will collapse, bit by bit, or all at once.

When it comes to rain, there is only so much water that can be absorbed by underground streams and springs. Debby’s torrential rains added a lot of weight to the soil above the limestone layer. That added weight causes the ground to cave in on itself — sometimes spectacularly — as demonstrated by the Hudson sinkhole. Unfortunately, just because the rains have stopped does not mean an end to sinkholes. There are many places where rainwater is still “percolating” and making its way underground, weakening the limestone layer. There will, undoubtedly, be more sinkholes in the news.

If you live in an area prone to sinkholes, you may never experience something as dramatic as a chasm in your front yard, but you should be watchful for less dramatic signs of sinkhole activity.

The more you know about sinkholes, the more confident you will be in finding the right professionals who will help restore your home or property. At Helicon, we are always ready to answer any questions you may have.

Call us today at 813-567-1065

i 3 Table of Contents

Foundation sinking in Florida clay: What homeowners need to know

Have you ever wondered why homes in Florida often face foundation problems? Living in Florida means dealing with clay soil that constantly expands and contracts, and that movement puts serious pressure on your home’s foundation. You might notice cracks in your walls...

Repair Eroded Seawall Structures with Easy DIY Tips and Expert Advice

Erosion doesn’t wait. If your seawall has started to wear down, it’s already putting your property at risk, letting water slowly steal the soil that’s supposed to protect your foundation. The good news? You can fix it before the damage gets worse. So how do you repair...

Permanent Structural Repair Options for Lasting Home Safety

Structural damage isn’t just a cosmetic problem; it threatens your home’s safety, value, and peace of mind. Cracks in walls, uneven floors, or shifting foundations can worsen quickly if left untreated. The real challenge? Many quick fixes only hide the symptoms...

How to Level Uneven Floors Quickly and Easily at Home

Uneven floors can throw off more than just your furniture; they mess with your home’s balance, safety, and even your peace of mind. So, if your floors feel a little “off,” chances are they actually are. But don’t panic, you’re not alone, and this isn’t a hopeless DIY...

Contact us anytime!