Deborah Preaster of Syracuse has been putting up caution tape and danger signs around a sinkhole that opened in her yard.
Preaster’s husband originally discovered the hole when he almost fell into it, though it was much smaller then, according to Preaster.
Preaster believes the sinkhole is now about 12 feet deep and is worried about the rest of her yard collapsing.
“’Holy bananas!’ was pretty much what he said,” said Preaster. “I'm sure he [Preaster’s husband] spelled bananas differently, no doubt.”
The City of Syracuse sent representatives from the Sewer and Engineering Departments, but they say the hole is not on city property.
Preaster has lived in this house for nearly three decades and has never seen anything like it. She is not sure how to repair the hole or who to call.
CNY Central reached out to the city on behalf of Preaster, and Chief Operating Officer Corey Driscoll Dunham responded.
“City of Syracuse Department of Public Works responded to the property and inspected the area three times, using a pole camera to examine the space underground,” said Dunham.
Dunham also shared that the city arborist inspected the trees on the property and a city engineer researched city mapping files and examined underground photos.
The investigation confirmed that the sinkhole is on private property and does not affect any existing or past city infrastructure, according to Dunham.
“To provide additional assistance to the property owner the city has made contact with the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation and the United States Geological Survey to seek further expertise and guidance on how the condition can be addressed,” said Dunham.
Read her full statement below:
“City of Syracuse Department of Public Works responded to the property and inspected the area three times, using a pole camera to examine the space underground. The city arborist also visited the site to inspect the trees that were of concern to the resident. A city engineer has also visited the property, researched city mapping files for historic buildings and sewer infrastructure, and examined underground photos. The investigation confirms the situation is occurring on private property and does not appear to be connected to any existing or past city infrastructure. To provide additional assistance to the property owner, the City has made contact with the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation and the United States Geological Survey to seek further expertise and guidance on how the condition can be addressed.”