Pocono News Section

Mine Subsidence Concerns Continue to Grow

Mine Subsidence Concerns Continue to Grow - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 5:12PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 @ 05:12pm EST
HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY - A major mine subsidence continues to cause concerns in Hazle Township. Homeowners met with state officials Wednesday afternoon but not much was accomplished. Questions reigned supreme at the meeting. The meeting comes after the mine cave-in swallowed two homes earlier this month.

"We don't know if we're undermined. We don't know. We have no idea. There may be something brewing downstairs, we don't know," Virginia Saullo said.

Since the April 9th cave-in, the ground has been stablized with tons of rock, but the issue has left many people considering whether or not to invest in mine subsidence insurance.

"Yeah, I would consider it because you never know what's under the ground. I don't think anyone knows what's going to happen," Rose Synder said.

State officials say they have maps to show anyone which homes are at risk. More than one million homes in Pennsylvania currently sit on abandoned mines. Tragedies like the one in Hazle Township have led to more calls.

"I think there has been more. It's been a little bit slow, but a lot of people in the surrounding areas have been coming in for it," Mike Korb from the Bureau of Abandoned Mines said.

For homeowners in Hazle Township, they're still concerned. After a similiar cave-in 29 years ago, they were told everything was safe.

"Right now, they just stabilized this area. They have a whole lot more work to do before they convince any of us that we're safe," homeowner Jane Burke said.

Because of the mine subsidence, part of Route 940 remains closed. PennDOT officials say it will not reopen until the first part of June.