Massive ‘sinkhole’ swallows IHOP parking lot

For a group of Saturday night diners at the one in Meridian, Mississippi, however, the ground itself opened up and devoured over a dozen cars into a big sinkhole. Cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles had dropped into the gash in the earth, which appeared to be about four-and-a-half metres deep.

While the event was first blamed on a sinkhole, Dr. Greg Easson of the University of Mississippi’s Geology and Geological Engineering Department said that’s not accurate. At first, they believed it was an natural disaster, but when they went outside, they saw their cars inside the giant sinkhole.

“We won’t know exactly what happened until engineers can determine the cause”, Roberts said.

The Meridian Public Safety Director Buck Roberts wanted to make it clear that the huge hole was not a sinkhole.

Witnesses say they heard several loud booms and the power was knocked out before the hole opened up. We are talking 14 to 15 vehicles. “At this time, we are trying to stabilise this and keep everyone away”. Those are generally caused after an underground aquifer dries up.

Apparently the IHOP had actually first opened its doors earlier this week.

Meridian Battalion Chief Wayne Cook said the investigation will begin Sunday, but right now they are thankful that no one was injured.

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said the IHOP sinkhole cause a loss of water for many nearby businesses and work crews were quickly dispatched to help resolve the water line problem.