Experts still looking for cause of SC sinkholes
Experts hired by the South Carolina Insurance Reserve Fund continue to look for the reason behind a rash of sinkholes that have appeared near the city of Georgetown.
Officials have said that sinkholes are somewhat common in some parts of the state - where limestone caverns are present underground - but not in the Georgetown area.
According to the Georgetown Times, Dr. C.W. Clendenin, a geologist with the Department of Natural Resources, characterized the problem as "unique" and something the agency hadn't seen before.
Many property owners have reported varying degrees of damage, including cracked foundations and ceilings. At least one business has been forced to relocate, and officials temporarily closed the county courthouse as a precaution. The city also drained its elevated water tank, but says that has not been affected by any sinkholes.
Some residents, wondering if they will need to submit homeowners insurance claims, have blamed the situation on a state drainage project designed to reduce flood risk. Parts of the project have been temporarily stopped until officials can pinpoint a cause for the sinkholes.
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