WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new sinkhole opened up in Wilkes-Barre Monday morning, causing many families to be evacuated.
Horton Street in Wilkes-Barre might have some bad luck when it comes to sinkholes.
Just a few weeks ago, the road was shut down due to a sinkhole caused by stormwater backup; now, it's closed again.
"This is a new sinkhole. We still have the one that opened up at the end of June, and we're still working on that sinkhole. This is in addition to that one," stated Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, George Brown.
People living nearby evacuated when crews were called to a possible gas leak, and the owner of a Horton Street business told us he wasn't open for long today.
Roads closures due to flooding in central Pa.
"We were open for business, as of 9 am, the water was shut off. Shortly after that, they came to check the building for a gas leak. As we were walking through the building, they determined it wasn't in the building. By the time we walked to the front of the building, they had cut the power. The gas leak started a sinkhole that opened up behind the building, and we had to evacuate," explained Scott Paull, owner of Wet Paint Printing + Design.
While crews aren't sure of the cause, Mayor Brown told us what they know so far.
"We believe it's the fence of the American water line that blew, that took out the gas line. So now, we're in the process of turning off the gas to make sure that we can get in there and identify what other areas have to be replaced. Is it the sewer lines, storm water, we know the gas, and we know the water lines," expressed Mayor Brown.
Even though this isn't the first sinkhole on Horton Street, this is the first time Paull's business was affected
"Today, you know, this is the first time we're completely closed, and we're not going to get our shipments out for the day, there's no pick-up, no UPS drop-off. We're closed," said Paull.
Paull tells us he's not too upset about the day off..
"I'm not so concerned, I would love to have my business open, but there are residents on the street that I believe are more prioritized. They're not in their homes, I can go home tonight, and I'll have power, they won't."
Crews aren't able to tell us when the road will be reopened or when the sinkhole will be contained.
Those who had to evacuate will be notified when it is safe to come home.
