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Homeowner Dealing With Massive Sinkhole In Backyard

Like many new homeowners Gaffney found a few minor problems when she moved in but they are nothing compared to an issue she knew about before buying the home
Homeowner has sinkhole in her yard

STONEVILLE, NC -- Laura Gaffney smiles when she looks at her home from the front yard. The bright green grass surrounds the bright white house with black trim. On the side of the home is a “life is good” flag that waves in the wind, “It’s the first home I’ve ever bought,” said Gaffney.

Like many new homeowners Gaffney found a few minor problems when she moved in but they are nothing compared to an issue she knew about before buying the home, “It’s been horrible and scary,” said Gaffney.

In the backyard of her home is a creek that also serves as a drainage area during heavy rains. Before buying the home, an inspector noticed a small erosion area behind Gaffney’s property where the creek ran past the home, “It was just a small little spot,” said Gaffney.

Concerned about the erosion Gaffney alerted her realtor who asked it to be fixed before buying the home. Unfortunately, the erosion was not on the seller’s property, so they couldn’t legally do anything.

Gaffney says she was then told by her realtor the city is taking care of the issue, “She said don’t worry about it, they’re responsible and are going to fix it,” said Gaffney.

By the time Gaffney moved into the home back in November of 2017 that small erosion spot was barely a blip on her radar. She was focused on getting her new house in order and spending time with her grandchildren who live close by, “I was so excited to spend time with them,” said Gaffney.

What Gaffney didn’t know is that small erosion spot would quickly grow into a massive sinkhole that has now swallowed up a good chunk of her backyard, “I’m very worried, I see it expanding every time it rains,” said Gaffney.

The sinkhole is around four feet deep and 40 to 50 feet wide. Gaffney says every time it rains she can see chunks of dirt slip into the hole, “I have serious worries about it approaching the house,” said Gaffney.

Right now, the sinkhole is still about 100 feet from the home but if it is not fixed it could certainly continue to grow and Gaffney does not have the money to pay for a fix.

The city has obtained a federal grant to help with water flow and irrigation in that area. Workers will be removing a plastic pipe put in by a neighbor that appears to be causing the erosion. It will also be adding a new pump station and water lines, while restoring the creek to its original condition, “We want to try and help the people living in that area as best we can,” said Ken Gamble with the city of Stoneville.

The government project is close to $3-million dollars and is expected to start by the fall of this year. What is unknown at this time is if the project will include filling in the giant sinkhole in Gaffney’s backyard.

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