Large sinkhole in Mississippi swallows 15 vehicles
A large sinkhole suddenly opened up on the grounds of Frontage Road in Meridian city, Mississippi on November 7, 2015. The underlying cause is still unknown, although it is suspected that an abundant amount of rainfall that was affecting the area over the last two weeks could have triggered it.
Video credit: Silent News
The sinkhole is 15 meters (49.2 feet) wide and almost 180 meters (590 feet) long, according to eyewitnesses. Its appearance on the parking lot on Frontage Road on the evening of November 7 has stunned customers of the nearby restaurant who reported hearing several loud booms followed by abrupt power loss. 15 vehicles have been reported to stumble down the sinkhole.
"We received a call earlier this evening of a sinkhole opening up at the new IHOP restaurant. Upon arrival, we found multiple vehicles in the ditch. At this time, we are trying to stabilize this and keep everyone away," Meridian Fire Department Chief Battalion Wayne Cook said.
A car teetering on the edge of the sinkhole. Pieces of pavement are still falling. pic.twitter.com/8FZSQNPjIZ
— Aaron Morrison (@Morrison_wx) November 8, 2015
The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, however, abundant rainfall has battered the area over the last two weeks. At least 7 cm (3 inches of precipitation) was measured in the city over the weekend of November 7 and about 25 cm (10 inches) of accumulated rainfall was reported over the last two weeks.
Featured image: A large sinkhole on he grounds of Meridian city, Mississippi, November 7, 2015. Image credit: Silent News
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