A growing sinkhole behind a Scott Street property in Houston’s Third Ward is spooking a longtime business owner and her neighbors, as the rain-scarred ground keeps widening and inching under a gate while tugging at a fence line. Jacqueline McIntosh, who says she has operated a business at the spot for 25 years, has been working the phones to find out who is responsible and says her biggest worry is that someone will get hurt. What started as a small dip in the ground last week has steadily expanded, prodding residents to press city and utility crews for a quick fix. Officials have been spotted on-site, looking over the damage.
City Crews Put Up Barriers As Neighbors Watch And Worry
The City of Houston Public Works department has visited the property, set up barriers and begun assessing the area. Neighbors told reporters the sinkhole is now pulling a fence and gate toward the opening, and the property owner said she has been pushing agencies to spell out a repair plan, as reported by FOX 26 Houston.
CenterPoint Says Exposed Gas Main Is Out Of Service
CenterPoint Energy told FOX 26 Houston that the exposed pipe at the site is a natural-gas steel main that is no longer in service and that “there is no active natural gas flowing through this pipe.” The company added that it urges customers to contact CenterPoint with any safety concerns and laid out steps residents should follow if they detect the smell of gas.
Why Sinkholes Can Suddenly Show Up After Storms
Heavy rains can help set the stage for sinkholes by soaking the soil and flushing material into underground voids, the U.S. Geological Survey explains. In cities, leaking or exposed utility lines and concentrated storm runoff can speed up the collapse process. According to the agency, some sinkholes form slowly, while others can open in just hours, depending on local geology and how water moves through the ground. Damaged pipes and rapid water infiltration are among the common urban triggers for sudden cave-ins, the USGS notes.
What’s Next And How To Stay Safe
McIntosh and her neighbors say they want the hole filled before it spreads or someone gets injured, and they plan to keep leaning on city and utility officials for a clear repair timetable. If you smell natural gas or suspect a leak, CenterPoint Energy advises leaving the area on foot and calling the company immediately for help. The utility offers detailed instructions on reporting concerns and taking safety steps on its site for local residents: CenterPoint Energy.
