Coastal way of life turns expensive as sinkhole threatens properties in Sunset Beach

SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY-TV) — The doubtlessly heavy rains, excessive winds and tough surf coming this weekend might make an enormous sinkhole which has taken over a yard in Sunset Beach even worse.

Jacki and David Hegidus have lived on the Sea Trail Golf Course for almost a decade. Jacki mentioned they got here right here for a coastal way of life and bought one thing else.

“We moved here for the beach feel, we love our neighbors, our neighbors are great,” Jacki mentioned, “and the atmosphere was wonderful.”

The couple mentioned the sinkhole opened after Hurricane Helene final 12 months.

“It would get bad with each rain, heavy rain storms we would have, we would see new little sinkholes popping up appear here and there and over time they would increase,” Jacki mentioned.

They declare the sinkhole was brought on by collapsed storm water pipes underneath the bottom. The couple mentioned they have been unaware of the drainage system underneath their yard once they moved in.

“We filled it in a few times until a neighbor close by told us that had a storm water drainage system that ran through our yards,” Jacki mentioned.

The couple mentioned the pipes are owned privately by the Sea Trail golf course, which was renovated final 12 months together with its drainage system. The couple added: the golf course redirected the water 3 weeks in the past however left behind the harm of their yard.

The drains additionally run underneath neighboring properties.  Chet Hayes mentioned he’s beginning to see a sinkhole type in his yard too.

“I saw Jacki’s house and I thought ‘oh’ I knew immediately what was happening,” Hayes mentioned. “So I took the end of a rake and poked it and it went down about five feet.”

WWAY reached out to the golf course for remark and we’ve got not heard again. The couple is contemplating doubtlessly suing the golf course for damages, hoping to regain they yard they’ve misplaced.