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Growing yard sinkhole sparks safety concerns in DeKalb County neighborhood

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Published  January 2, 2025 9:05pm EST
DeKalb County
FOX 5 Atlanta

Growing sinkhole in DeKalb County yard

A DeKalb County homeowner wants answers after he says a sinkhole has been growing for years. He says the county promises answers but so far, they have not delivered.

The Brief

    • A DeKalb County resident, Roy Earls, is frustrated with the county's four-year delay in fixing a growing sinkhole in his front yard, which he attributes to a county sewer line issue.
    • The sinkhole has been worsening over time, especially after heavy rains, and has started to fill with deep water, with additional holes forming in the yard.
    • Earls is concerned about the safety risks posed by the sinkhole, particularly for neighborhood children who get off the bus near the hazard.
    • Despite repeated promises from the county to address the issue, no repairs have been made, prompting Earls to express his dissatisfaction.
    • The county has acknowledged the project and is working to provide more information, according to FOX 5.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A DeKalb County man says he is tired of waiting for the county to fix a growing hole in his front yard. 

He claims the hole is due to a county sewer line and they've been promising to fix it for the past four years.

"They want their taxes, but they don't want to come out and repair anything," Roy Earls said.

Earls says enough is enough. 

"This hole has been here for four years and maybe five. I've put a barricade up and it has sunk in. It keeps caving in," Earls said. 

Earls says it started four years ago when the county fixed the sewer line starting on the other side of the street and running to his. 

He says that as each heavy rain comes, the hole grows bigger and the inside fills with deep water. 

Other holes are starting to form in his yard. 

"Forming holes into my yard. That's a hole right there. That's a hole right there. There's another one that's getting ready to form over this one," Earls said. 

It's not just an eyesore; he's also worried about the safety of those in the neighborhood, especially curious kids. 

"They get off the bus adjacent to the hole," Earls said. 

FOX 5 reached out to the county. They confirmed that they have a record of the project and are working to provide additional information.

The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5's Eric Perry.

DeKalb CountyNews