LUZERNE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Mine subsidence is two words northeastern Pennsylvanians are quite familiar with, but a local subsidence just after daybreak Sunday is unlike just about any other.
It swallowed up the water from a creek in Luzerne County.
28/22 News Reporter Iyee Jagne was near Toby Creek where the waterway went dry after the subsidence.
Multiple people were evacuated out of their homes out of caution of further subsidence.
It brought out several agencies to figure out what happened, and what to do next.
On a day when rain would normally cause waterways to rise a bit, the opposite was happening at Toby Creek because of a sinkhole that opened above an abandoned mine shaft below the creek.
It raised concerns for residents who walk the nearby Back Mountain Trail.
One man who did not want to appear on camera says the dry creek is a strange site given the amount of wet weather in recent days.
"It's been raining a lot lately, so the creek has been very high and it's been roaring and this is the first time it's probably been dry in a long time," said Luzerne resident Patrick Harris.
NWS issues severe thunderstorm warning across PA
Luzerne Borough Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Tarreto tells 28/22 News that the Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department was alerted Sunday morning around 7:00 a.m.
After arriving, they contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP,) Office of Surface Mining and Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency (EMA.)
Harris says subsidence is something that he and most of his neighbors are used to dealing with.
"Up here on the mountain there used to be a coal breaker a long time ago and we all know that anywhere if you live in the valley there's goanna be mine shafts underneath you," Patrick explained.
Harris's wife, Tracy, who also did not want to appear on camera, says this was surprising.
"No, especially with all the rain constantly going so to hear that there's nothing there or just a little trickle it's a little surprising," Tracy said.
"It's a concern, but anyone who lives in the Wyoming \Valley knows that but definitely shocking when you wake up one morning and you realize that like a quarter-mile away from your house there's a giant sinkhole," Patrick added.
An official on scene did tell Jagne that the sinkhole is about 60 feet deep and that they are still working to fill it.
Exit 6 on Route 309 North and Southbound are both closed and will remain that way till further notice.
The DEP Issued a statement regarding the incident Sunday evening.
“This is an evolving issue. DEP continues to respond to the mine subsidence on Toby Creek, Luzerne County, that has dewatered the creek from the Back Mountain area to where the creek enters the Susquehanna River. There are known abandoned mines in the area of the creek. DEP is working to stabilize the bank near the subsidence and divert the flow of water back into the creek.”
Colleen Connolly from the DEP
28/22 News will continue working this story and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
