© John KoziolScott Bridges, a groundskeeper at Union Cemetery in Laconia, stands Thursday behind the large sinkhole that was created eight days earlier.
Groundskeeper Scott Bridges said the sinkhole, which is about 30 feet wide and 8 feet deep, occurred during last week's torrential rainstorm on Sept. 30 at about 4 p.m. The pipe that broke was more than 65 years old, and Bridges said the bottom of one section rotted out and caused the collapse.
Over the past several days, the hole has continued to widen ever so slightly, and the hope is to get the broken pipe replaced and the hole filled as soon as possible. He said the goal is to have it done before the next major rainstorm, and he assumes work will begin within the next week or so.
"Right now, it seems to be maintaining, but if we get any more rain and bad weather, that could be bad," said Bridges. "The hole will get bigger because the soil is so loose, and it will collapse more. As long as we don't get a really bad rainstorm, we should be OK."
Comment: There have been 35 sinkholes reported in the last 30 days. The earth is opening up!