A block-long sinkhole opened up on the corner of 26th Street and North Charles Street due to heavy rainfall Wednesday afternoon. About a dozen parked cars fell into the hole, and residents were evacuated from the area, which is four blocks south of campus.
According to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
“We’re extremely blessed that we’re talking about property damage and damage to the street and no loss of life,” Rawlings-Blake said.
Jeffrey Bismayer, who graduated from Hopkins in 2012 and has been living in the area since fall 2013, said the road has recently been in poor condition.
“I knew that this would happen,” he said. “The road has been bending since early April, and you can see a foot below the asphalt. When cars park, there is a 15 percent grade.”
Bismayer said the damage was extensive.
“It’s very devastating,” he said. “The sidewalk was taken away, and any cars parked in the middle were gone.”
A portion of the CSX freight train track, which runs parallel to 26th Street, was also buried in the sinkhole.
“We are working closely with authorities to assess damage, assure public safety and determine next steps and will provide updates,” a CSX company statement said.
