What's the deal with sink holes in The Villages?

"What's the deal with sinkholes in The Villages?" The Villages, like all of central Florida has a history of sinkholes. A sinkhole is a place in the ground that gives way and forms a hole. You might think that sinkholes are due to the rainy, wet climate. On the contrary, however, it's the dry weather days and periods of drought that causes soil and sediment to become extremely dry and crumbly. Then when rain comes, the dry crumbly dirt collapses and creates a sinkhole. Sinkholes can occur anywhere; under streets, on golf courses, in yards, and near houses. You can find maps on the internet for where there have been sinkholes in and near The Villages. Some insurance companies will not insure a house that is close to a known sinkhole. However, most insurances will cover, what is called, catastrophic ground collapse. These policies carry a high deductible, similar to hurricane damage. The bottom line is; sinkholes happen. They can happen anywhere in The Villages. People still buy houses in Oklahoma even though there is a risk of tornadoes and buy houses in California even with a risk of wildfires. And people buy houses in The Villages even with a risk of sinkholes. Sinkholes, like hurricanes, are a risk in central Florida, period. But the chances of damage from either of them is minimal. Be aware, but don't let it keep you from moving to this wonderful, retirement community!

Florida is certainly a different place from where we moved from. Alligators, coral snakes, Palmetto bugs, rainy season, hurricanes and sink holes are all new to us! All these things I thought I would be afraid of, and lose sleep over, every night. I certainly was taken aback by the thought of the earth opening up and swallowing my home while I slept. However, the reality is, most of the sink holes are small and most do not cause any damage to nearby homes. I suppose everywhere in the US has it's own dangers!