Sinkhole Woes Extend Beyond Palmer, Forks

At least four homes were evacuated and a road shut down in a Hanover Township community near Lehigh Valley International Airport on Monday because of a water main break and sinkhole that threaten neighborhood safety.

Resident K.A. Frisch took this week off to decorate and bake holiday goodies. Instead, she gathered supplies for herself and her three cats in case she has to leave her home on Irma Drive.

Frisch lives at 2247. Units 2251 through 2257 were evacuated Monday morning because of an 8 to 10-foot-deep sinkhole that zigzags under the rowhomes located off Airport Road.

Part of a  on nearby Schoenersville Road last week. And a Whitehall couple has spent their entire savings trying to rebound from sinkhole problems, according to the Morning Call.

In Monday's Hanover Township incident, homeowner Frisch said, "It's not really all that surprising. We are on sinkholes. This (development) is on limestone. We've had many, many sinkholes already."

Frisch has lived there since 1985 and recalled a sinkhole at one nearby house that cost more than $40,000 to repair.

She has sinkhole insurance.

"I'm glad I paid that bill," she said.

Frisch watched as Bethlehem water department crews worked to stabilize the hole and repair a water main break that caused the hole to open. 

Trouble started at 8:03 a.m., Frisch said. She was taking a shower when "the water just shut off - boom." She reported the problem and then went out to run errands. When she returned, her street was blocked off with part of it collapsing into the widening hole.

"The baking can wait. The decorating can wait. Let's just see if I have a house to live in," said Frisch.

Firefighters from Hanover Township are assisting public works crews at the scene.

Volunteer firefighters and township workers  at a Bethlehem Township home in August.

supervisors last week , but won't help residents with private property sinkhole problems.