Q&A: What we know about the Fraser sinkhole

FRASER, Mich. – Editor's Note: Do you have questions about the Fraser sinkhole? Add them to the comments below and we'll help find answers.

A massive sink hole damaged one Fraser home and force the evacuation of 21 other homes on Christmas Eve. Below is a Q&A on what we know. City officials updated residents on Monday during a public meeting at Fraser City Hall, 33000 Garfield Rd, Fraser, MI 48026. See a full replay of the meeting at the bottom of this story. 

Here's what we know, so far, about the sink hole:

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What happened? 

A large intercept sewer line on 15 Mile Road just east of Hayes likely collapsed causing a sinkhole that damaged at least one home, put two others at risk and forced the evacuation of 19 more. It also has public officials concerned about sewage backups in homes  throughout the area. Fraser declared a state of emergency and closed 15 Mile Road between Hayes and Utica to investigate the sinkhole. If you need help placing the location, it's near Green Lantern Pizza. (See aerial views of the site in the video below.) 

The collapse was likely caused by leaking from the massive pipeline destablizing ground.

NEW: Gas line struck, forcing back work crews

What pipe is collapsing?

City officials say it's an 11-foot diameter sewer line buried 45 feet below the surface. It serves thousands of people in Macomb County. (A city letter declaring a state of emergency says 55 feet deep, but officials said during a public meeting it's 45 feet deep.) 

How long will this last?

Officials said homes will be evacuated for at least 2-3 weeks. Power and water has been cutoff to the homes. Authorities are developing plans to allow people to remove items, but homeowners cannot access their properties now. An official said during a public meeting on Monday that they expect to stabilize the ground and restore public utilities within 2 weeks.  

Is this dangerous? 

Absolutely. Entire homes could collapse into the grounds, and authorities say anyone in the area could be pulled 60 feet underground in the sinkhole. Homeowners evacuated from the scene will be allowed home to remove some items, but they won't be able to inhabit homes until the area is secured. Three homes, including one already damaged by the sinkhole, will remain off limits indefinitely. 

Who else is affected?

All homes in the area are in danger of sewage backups along Garfield Road from 15 Mile to 18 Mile Road. City officials said they are actively monitoring sewage and stormwater flows to avoid overflows. Also, 15 Mile Road is closed to traffic between Hayes and Utica, and Garfield Road between Clinton River Road and Millar is closed indefinitely. 

Are Green Lantern Pizza, Tim Horton's and Meijer accessible? 

Yes, Green Lantern Pizza near the sinkhole on 15 Mile Road is open, as is Tim Horton's and Meijer. You can access them from 15 Mile and Utica Road. 

When will access to restored to the Fraser Activity Center? 

Several people raised questions about senior services at the Fraser Activity Center. Officials said they intend to build temporary access to the center. 

How was the sinkhole discovered?

Homeowners told Local 4 they heard cracking in their basement at 4 a.m. on Dec. 24. and called police a few hours later. Neighbors saw bricks falling from the outside of the house, which is expected to be a total loss. Officials said the ground could give way at any moment, forcing homeowners to rush into their homes to grab a few items and leave.

How big is the sinkhole?

Officials estimate its 100-feet-by-250-feet. More damage to homes is expected as the ground collapses.

How will it be fixed? 

In the short term, officials are securing the ground, restoring utilities -- including water, gas and electricity -- and building temporary roads and a bypass pump around the scene to restore access to the area, including to the Fraser Activity Center, which is used by many seniors. The city engineer said they hope to restore access within 2 weeks, if not sooner. Electricity has been restored to three of the houses, at this time.  

Utilities were shut off to the area to help workers investigate the sinkhole and begin repairs. 

Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick (AEW) has been hired to repair the sinkhole. 

When is the next city meeting? 

The city has scheduled a meeting for Jan. 9 to update the community on the sinkhole, including possibly details on who will pay for repairs. Mayor Joe Nichols signed a "state of emergency," allowing Macomb County, Sterling Heights and Clinton Township to get involved with repair efforts. 

Will the Clinton River be affected? 

Bypass systems are being built to protect area homes from backups. If the system is turned on, sewage would be dumped into the Clinton River. It was confirmed Monday that sewage is being dumped into the river. City and county officials are working with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to monitor and minimize sewage overflows. 

Is this related to the sinkhole in 2004?

Exact causes are unclear, but the sewer line running under the home hadn't been inspected for 10 years. A similar sinkhole opened up on 15 Mile Road in 2004. City engineer Scott Lockwood said this sinkhole should not be connected to the 2004 sinkhole, though added he did not work on the 2004 project. Repairs to the line had been made as recently as 2011. (Watch Local 4 coverage of the 2004 sinkhole here.) Local residents also remember a sinkhole back in the 1970s. 

Aerial views of the 15 Mile Road sinkhole from Dec. 24, 2016

REPLAY: Fraser and Macomb County officials update residents on 15 Mile Road sinkhole 

(Editor's note: Sound quality is low for the first 15 minutes, but improves for the final 2 hours of the meeting when all questions are addressed. Audio also briefly cuts out at 31:00, but soon returns.)