LOCAL NEWS

Massive sinkhole opens in Sandy neighborhood, swallows resident’s yard

Feb 1, 2024, 4:03 PM | Updated: Feb 2, 2024, 5:13 pm

SANDY — Repairs are underway in Sandy after a water main break created a large sinkhole in a couple’s front yard.

The sinkhole, that developed Wednesday night on Silver Sage Drive is now about 25 feet wide and anywhere from 15 to 25 feet deep.

“They actually didn’t find the bottom, it went beyond the extent of our equipment,” said Tom Ward, Sandy city’s public utilities director.

The owners of the property, Alta and Gene Cunliffe, discovered the water main break Wednesday around 6 p.m. while checking the mail.

“I tapped out towards the gutter, and it was all mushy,” Gene Cunliffe said.

He called the city and returned to check on the issue, only to find it had quickly progressed.

“Water was coming up about that high (indicating several feet), and it went clear across the street and through the whole neighborhood,” he said.

According to city officials, the recent freezing and thawing temperatures caused an 8-inch water main near the road to completely split. Ward said the amount of water it released was the equivalent of several fire hydrants being opened underground.

“When water can create the Grand Canyon and some of the great beautiful parts of southern Utah, it can also mine out a huge cavern underneath someone’s landscape and, in the process, take out some of the other utilities down there,” Ward said.

The cavern that was created led to the sidewalk, flower boxes, and tools on the Cunliffe’s property all disappearing into the ground. On Thursday, the couple pulled up their lawn chairs and watched as crews tried to dig them out.

“I asked the operator, ‘If you strike oil in there, I get 50%!'” Gene Cunliffe said.

Ward said the sinkhole became so deep at one point, crews couldn’t find the broken sidewalk or the broken pieces of the pipe.

“We never know which water main breaks are going to be a doozy, and this one was a big one,” Ward said.

As the sinkhole grew on Thursday, so did the problems for the Cunliffes, who discovered the water main break also caused the sewer line to break.

“Because the sewer line was affected, we had the sewer back up into our basement,” Gene Cunliffe said.

At 91 years old, Gene Cunliffe said the events of the past 24 hours have been stressful. And he’s praying the bad luck doesn’t truly come in threes.

“The only thing that could happen is a fire, that’s the only thing left!” he joked.

The water main has been paired and water has been restored to the area, but repairs on the sewer line could take between one to three days, according to Ward. He said because it was the city’s pipe that split and caused all the damage to the Cunliffe’s property, the city will repair the damage.

“Sandy city has been very helpful so far, stating they would take care of everything,” Gene Cunliffe said. “The help we’ve received so far has been really good.”

Sandy officials say water has been restored to all 35 impacted residents by Thursday evening, but it would take about three days to fully repair the damages.

Contributing: Andrew Adams, KSL TV

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Autumn Mercado, who was found dead in her home on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Charges pending in case of West Jordan mother found dead, family seeks justice and protection for children

Nearly a month after the discovery of a West Jordan woman's body during a welfare check, charges in the case have yet to be filed.

2 hours ago

FILE - A police vehicle flashes its lights. (Matt Rourke, Associated Press) FILE: police lights. On...

Michael Houck

Pedestrian killed after being hit by a vehicle, Santa Clara-Ivins police say

A woman was fatally hit by a vehicle Friday evening, Santa Clara-Ivins police say.

2 hours ago

An Orem home that was scheduled to be demolished on fire on Feb. 4, 2025....

Brian Carlson

Massive Orem house fire being investigated as arson

A fire that destroyed an empty Orem home in a wooded area of the city is now being investigated as arson.

3 hours ago

Nancy Duncan and Nick Jenderko behind Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards show....

Mike Anderson

Utahns sat among stars at the Grammys

Some Utahns earned some bragging rights after a night at the Grammy Awards.

4 hours ago

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

5 hours ago

Over a thousand people filled the state Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to vet...

Shara Park

Thousands gather at Capitol Hill to protest against controversial union bill

Over a thousand people filled the Utah State Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to veto HB267.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Massive sinkhole opens in Sandy neighborhood, swallows resident’s yard