Sinkhole 'burps' and 'swallows' more land

BAYOU CORNE, LA (WAFB) - Officials said there was a "burp" and slough-in at the massive south Louisiana sinkhole Thursday morning.

The Assumption Parish Police Jury reported the collapse was on the east side of the sinkhole, but it is not yet known how much land was lost. Officials added the water in the sinkhole continues to move, which is an indication that this event is not over.

They said the installation of the seismic equipment and implementation of the code system are essential in indicating slough-ins will happen before they actually do.

They stated the seismic equipment showed signs over the last three days that something could happen. Officials added they then heightened the code level at the sinkhole.

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Bubbles were spotted in Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou in June 2012. Two months later, the ground opened up and left a nine-acre sinkhole. Residents were evacuated and have been for the past seven months. Most affected residents began receiving weekly checks from Texas-Brine in the amount of $875 per week. The sinkhole is now around 14 acres in size.

On March 13, Texas-Brine, the Houston based company that owns the salt dome that caused the sinkhole, announced it would begin assessing the homes and offering buyouts and settlements for the 350 people evacuated.

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