What's Happening in Glenside, PA…

A gigantic sinkhole opened up in Glenside, Pennsylvania, on January 25, breaking a water main and almost sucking down a pickup truck that was parked in a driveway.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, which occurred on Brooke Road, though about 65 homes lost water temporarily.

Officials with the local water utility said they did not know what caused the sinkhole, and they might not find out for days. Aqua Pennsylvania's president, Marc A. Lucca, said there were no known leaks in the system, and they still did not know the extent of the sinkhole. As they repaired the damage, they considered what further steps to take.

The sinkhole opened up between two houses, engulfing one driveway as well as part of the street and sidewalk. A smaller sinkhole also appeared in the street itself, causing the evacuation of residents. The truck, which nearly slid into the hole, was secured by a chain.

Lucca said the problem was not as bad as first thought, and water was restored to all but the four houses closest to the sinkhole later on the same evening. The area, and Montgomery County in general, is prone to sinkholes.

Events like this can cause distress, and officials can help by working with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for residents, explaining both the problem and the solution being implemented.