A 35-foot wide sinkhole opened up along State Road 26 between the city of Newberry and the Gilchrist County line on Monday.
Courtesy of Alachua CountyNewberry Road/State Road 26 has been closed in both directions near the Gilchrist County and Alachua County border after a giant sinkhole opened up.
According to Alachua County, the sinkhole is approximately 35 feet wide and 15 feet deep. While on the shoulder of the road, the county said Newberry Road was deemed unstable.
Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe said first responders are turning vehicles around at the spot.
“ASO and the City of Newberry are on site. Please, avoid the area if possible,” Marlowe said.
Newberry citizens posted photos to Facebook of other sinkholes opening in the area as heavy rains from Hurricane Debby soak North Florida. West Alachua County is known for its karst geography that often causes sinkholes to form.
Apparently, nowadays, we politicize everything, including acts of nature. Divisive name-calling does not help. A much more appropriate and supportive comment might be something like, “I hope this gets repaired quickly. In the meantime, all who drive out that way, please be careful.”