A sinkhole in Hendersonville, North Carolina, has grown from a road problem into a property headache for nearby homeowners.
The sinkhole is on Toms Park Circle and has been there since Helene, according to WLOS.
The City of Hendersonville recently closed that section of the road after officials noticed the sinkhole had worsened.
Neighbors say the closure has pushed drivers onto a narrow turnaround area, with some vehicles using private yards and driveways to get back out.
Neighbors Say the Closure Is Creating New Hazards
Resident Sherry Gundersen told WLOS she has called the city and others about the sinkhole and worries a child could fall into it.
Another resident, Alisa Cliff, said the road now has traffic moving both ways on a narrow stretch near a steep hill. Cliff told the station she worries people could fall while trying to turn around.
Private Driveways Are Becoming Turnarounds
Gundersen said drivers have been turning around in residents’ yards and driveways since the closure changed traffic flow.
She put a cone and recycling bin in her driveway to stop vehicles from using it.
When a road closure leaves no clear place to turn around, the problem can move quickly from public pavement onto private property. Tire tracks, damaged grass, blocked driveways, and tighter access for delivery trucks or emergency vehicles can become part of the same repair dispute.
The City Says Design Work Is Next
Brent Detwiler with the City of Hendersonville told WLOS the city noticed the sinkhole getting worse within the last few weeks and reached out to a consultant for a proposal to design the needed improvements.
The city is still waiting on FEMA funds for the project, along with other Helene-related repairs.
Detwiler said the city prioritized larger recovery projects first because they affected more people, including the wastewater treatment plant, Patton Pool, and the Whitmire Activity Center.
Helene Recovery Is Still Moving Through the Region
Hendersonville’s official Helene recovery page says residents with storm-related unmet needs can still connect with the Disaster Recovery Partnership, the county’s long-term recovery group.
Blue Ridge Public Radio reported in June that FEMA released another $236 million in Helene recovery funding for western North Carolina projects, including property buyouts, waterway debris removal, road repairs, and utility work.
Homeowners Should Document the Property Impact
Residents dealing with a road closure near their homes should take dated photos of tire tracks, damaged grass, driveway cracks, blocked access, cones, temporary signs, and any close calls involving vehicles.
They should also keep copies of emails, service requests, and responses from the city, especially if emergency access, private property damage, drainage, or unsafe traffic patterns are part of the complaint.
Until repairs move forward, the strongest paper trail is one that shows how the road closure affects actual yards, driveways, and access to homes.