UPDATE: On Tuesday morning, neighbors reported that this is the second sinkhole in the area since 2013.
A #sinkhole swallowed up an suv with a mother and her kids inside yesterday. This morning we got a call from a viewer saying another sinkhole popped up about a mile from here in 2013. Now we're wondering if this might be a problem spot.
Posted by Parker Collins on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Drivers are advised that if they see water bubbling up from the road, a sinkhole could be nearby.
Both sinkholes were caused because the asphalt was weakened by water that leaked out of underground water pipes. Officials with the Las Vegas Valley Water District say they have several programs that go around looking for water main leaks. They also rely on people calling in problem spots. The pipes in this part of town of some of the oldest in the entire valley.
"We do a pretty good job of identifying those areas before they do fail, but as with any infrastructure there are going to be some failures," said Corey Enus, a spokesman for the LVVWD.
Enus also says the soil on the east side of the Las Vegas valley is prone to creating pockets that lead to sinkholes.
ORIGINAL STORY
An SUV fell into a sinkhole on the east side of the valley Monday afternoon.
The Las Vegas Water District said a pipe broke, leaking water and eventually weakening the asphalt around 12:30 p.m. in the 4300 block of Ridgedale Avenue, near Lamb Boulevard and Vegas Valley Drive.
The driver of the SUV said she was in the car with her four children but they're all OK.
"I'm driving and my vehicle goes oomph! Down," Aimci Flores said.
BREAKING: SUV falls into a sinkhole near Vegas Valley and Lamb. Water District here, everyone is believed to be ok pic.twitter.com/yN95Fdpjae
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 4, 2016
Driver of the truck in foreground of pic. She says there were 4 children in car with her pic.twitter.com/RIeb3fNGul
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 4, 2016
Truck being lifted out. Dripping water from the grill. Look at the deep pool of water practically to street level pic.twitter.com/xonqx5iM9F
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 4, 2016
Ever seen a sinkhole drained? pic.twitter.com/pf5IAPdDh6
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 4, 2016
This section of Ridgedale Ave will be closed for about 6 hours pic.twitter.com/ZModxRDSCm
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 4, 2016
Ridgedale Avenue was closed for much of the evening.
