Massive Sinkole in Texas Continues to Grow May 8, 2008

DAISETTA, Texas — A massive sinkhole that has swallowed everything in its path is continuing to grow, officials told KPRC Local 2 Thursday.

Slideshow: Massive Sinkhole In Liberty County

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The sinkhole, which is the size of almost seven football fields, is located in a rural area near FM 770, just north of Daisetta in Liberty County

It’s stabilized as far as coming towards the road,” said Cpl. Hugh Bishop with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. “There’s other pieces that have dropped off there, but as far as getting towards the road, we’re still comfortable with where it is right now.”

It started as a crack in the road and grew into the sinkhole starting at about 10 a.m. Wednesday. It grew to at least 400 yards wide, 600 yards north to south and 150 to 250 feet deep.

Officials said they were worried that the sinkhole would get closer to FM 770 overnight, but it did not grow too much in that direction. Officials said it has grown in all directions, but they are most concerned about its progress to the east.

Construction equipment, tanks, trees and everything else in its path fell into the hole. Crews drained tanks in that could be consumed by the hole.

Daisetta was built on salt domes and experts believe the oil taken from the wells caused the land to cave in.

Oil gathered at the bottom of the sinkhole. The property it consumed was described as a disposal well.

“They inject salt water when they’re drilling oil wells in the area. They store the salt water and inject it back into the ground,” said Chief Les Hulsey of the Daisetta Police Department. “That well is still pressured up and holding pressure. The sinkhole hasn’t affected it.”

The Texas Railroad Commission is at the scene of the sinkhole. That agency oversees oil and gas production and transportation in Texas.

The nearest home to the sinkhole is about a quarter-mile to a half-mile away. No evacuations were ordered, but residents said they were nervous that they may have to leave their homes.

“If it gets to it, I’ll get ready,” one resident said.

Bishop said about 100 homes were fairly close to the hole.

Families watched closely as the hole inched closer and closer to their homes. “They told us they would get us if it becomes dangerous. Our daughter is worried,” said Mary McCann.

City officials said they have a plan if they have to order evacuations.

“The fire department, everybody, is going to get out,” Daisetta Mayor Lynn Wells said.

Bishop said residents should not try to go near the sinkhole to get a first-hand look.

“We don’t know what parts will drop off or when, so it’s best just to stay back,” he said.

No injuries have been reported.

Highway 770 was closed on Wednesday and not expected to reopen on Thursday. Traffic was diverted to FM 834. All schools and businesses remained open. Officials have not yet placed a monetary value on the destruction.

 Daisetta is about 50 miles northeast of Houston. It has a population of about 1,000.