Watch: 50-Foot Deep Sinkhole Swallows 2 Florida Homes

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — A sinkhole that opened up along Ocean Pines Drive in Land O’ Lakes has destroyed two homes and has forced the evacuation of others.

According to Pasco County, the sinkhole opened up behind the home at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive around 7:20 a.m. July 14. Pasco County Fire Rescue crews were the first to arrive on scene around 7:36 a.m. Those crews reported a hole that was about the size of a small swimming pool.

Get the Land O' Lakes Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

Before long, the hole grew and ultimately destroyed homes at 21835 and 21825 Ocean Pines Drive, a Friday afternoon email from the county said. A boat was also swallowed by the sinkhole, the county reported.

While no injuries have been reported, authorities say two dogs were rescued from one home. A total of 11 homes have been voluntarily evacuated in the area and road closings with limited access remained in place as of 6:30 p.m.

“A state geologist has verified it’s an active sinkhole,” the county wrote in a Friday afternoon email to media. “It’s still growing and we need to maintain a 200- to 300-foot perimeter.”

The county estimated the hole had grown to be about 225 feet in diameter and was 50 feet deep as of Friday evening.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is requiring residents along certain streets to show proof:

The property at 21835 Ocean Pines Drive, where the sinkhole opened Friday morning, has suffered a similar problem in the past, according to Zillow.com. Its listing on the real estate website says that it has undergone sinkhole repair.

Further information is not yet available.

Watch: Sinkhole Swallows Florida Homes

Keep up with what's happening by following Land O' Lakes Patch on Facebook.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates when they become available.

Photo courtesy of Pasco County