Sinkhole approaches 1 year anniversary

ASSUMPTION PARISH, LA (WAFB) - It's been about a year since a giant sinkhole began swallowing acres in southeast Louisiana.

Many people living near Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou remain out of their homes, as the sinkhole has grown since it first formed. The sinkhole has now grown to about 15 acres.

Officials with Texas Brine, the company that owns the salt dome that caused the sinkhole, said it expects to complete final containment later in the month. The company said it continues to vent and map the shallow gas. It added data shows the level of gas is dropping.

Texas Brine said it has reached agreements with 63 of the 92 homeowners that were offered settlements. About 350 people were forced from their homes due to the sinkhole.

In July, officials reported they believe the sinkhole is much deeper than originally thought and additional materials had surfaced. According to the Assumption Parish Police Jury, John Boudreaux with the Assumption Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has tagged the bottom center of the sinkhole, where the raindrop bubbles are occurring.

Authorities said the depth is more than 500 feet, although debris was felt at about 175 to 200 feet, while the weight continued to fall to the 500-foot depth. Officials added there will be attempts this week to use a longer measuring device to determine the depth of what is suspected to be the "upside down witch's hat." They reported more debris and hydrocarbon have risen to the top at the site.

Scroll down for previous stories about the sinkhole.

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