Well, we don't have this problem here

[brassylass]

As someone who has lived in Florida for 10 years, yes part of the growing problem is using too much water. no water to hold the limestone structure up. And it doesnt happen to suck people in often, which is why you do not hear about it often, normally it is only property damage. Though in Orlando you have to deal with pretty much the same heat (I think 2 months in houston are on average 2 degrees warmer in the summer but orlando's winter is much more mild) and not as bad traffic but there are not as many options either (one high way e/w and one toll road way to far out of the way for me) and the same north and south. So ya get to deal with that, sinkholes, frequent hurricanes, heat, moderate traffic problems, and disney tourists who think because they are spending money in your city can do whatever they want include totally stop traffic so a 10 minute commute is now 3 hours. Much worse than sinkholes

[Lone Star Rooster]

Actually, the former neighborhood in Baytown (Brownwood, now the Baytown Nature Center) sank very slowly over a period of about 30-40 years or so. It did eventually turn into a dangerous flooding situation out there over time, however it wasn't a sudden sinkhole like the one in Florida.

Not to be alarmist, but most of the Houston area has subsided by about 3-4 feet or so over the years, mainly due to the overpumping of groundwater. Fortunately, most areas around town have made the switch to surface water sources, so the subsidence has largely stopped.

The Baytown Nature Center is a pretty interesting place to visit, by the way. You can still see some of the slabs where these houses once stood, right down to the kitchen floor tile in some spots.

[Katy4life]

another famous Texas sinkhole.....

Boling Newgulf sink hole of 1983

[cheryjohns]

Any sinkholes in Houston?

[LizzySWW]

Liberty County (between Houston & Beaumont)


In Houston, 2011:


12 months ago in Houston (12' deep x 20' wide)


In 11/2011 this Houston teen was about to cross Louetta, when this sinkhole swallowed him, he was half way under water before rescued.


This kiddo is lucky he walked away, he could have been seriously hurt.....or worse.

[crone]

Not many of these events are naturally occurring. Those pictured are all created by humans.

[bondi88]

That one must be a record.
Guatemala Sinkhole Created by Humans, Not Nature

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by bondi88

That one must be a record.
Guatemala Sinkhole Created by Humans, Not Nature

See that one house just north of it? How well do you think they sleep at night?

[stoneclaw]

I heard about this on the news last week. Very sad indeed. I wasn't aware that this phenomenon actually happened so often

[NTT]

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) website, Texas is not exempt from sinkholes. However, the majority of Houston may not be among these disastrous lands. Ooops! I was wrong, we sure are in danger too
Sinkholes, from USGS Water-Science School (2nd paragraph and scroll down to map)