LUZERNE, Pa. — Emergency crews responded Sunday to part of Luzerne County for a report of a mine subsidence.
Officials say firefighters, the Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency, and the state Department of Environmental Protection were called to Main Street in Luzerne Borough at 7 a.m. The subsidence is by Toby Creek off of State Route 309.
From Skycam 16, you can see how the creek comes to a stop behind this business along Main Street in Luzerne, and the creek bed that goes to the river is dry.
This diversion of the creek calls for an emergency response.
"All right, we were dispatched approximately at 7 a.m. for some type of subsidence. When we arrived on scene, we found that there was a mining subsidence underneath Toby's Creek, behind the Luzerne lumberyard," said Jason Tarreto, Luzerne Borough EMA.
Emergency officials tell Newswatch 16 the subsidence is within the Toby Creek creekbed so the creek is flowing underground instead of to the river.
"Right now, it's a concern is we don't know what's going to happen with the mine once the water goes down or subsides. So we're at the point now where that's our concern is, especially those on the opposite side of the street," said Charles Krommess, Luzerne County Emergency Planning.
Leading to the evacuation of businesses and homes along Main Street in Luzerne just before the Exit ramp to Route 309 North.
"Here I am waiting, and they got the road closed on both sides. It's kind of a mess, but hopefully, it's done soon," said Eric Plotts, a resident evacuated from his home.
Folks who live here tell Newswatch 16 they are impressed with the response and hope the problem gets taken care of before there's any damage, "Having a home after this would be cool. I mean, the big sinkhole isn't something I've seen before so," added Plott.
Now, emergency crews are focusing on bringing in rock to fill in the subsidence and stop the flowing of water underground, "Right now, we're trying to just take care of the problem first. Surface of mining is here, the DEP, everybody's here. You know, we're gonna look into mitigating and completely rectifying the problem. But you know, right now we're just doing we're just taking action quick to get it filled in," explained Tarreto.
The Department of Environmental Protection released a statement on the subsidence, saying, “This is an evolving issue. DEP continues to respond to the mine subsidence on Toby Creek, Luzerne County, that has dewatered the creek from the Back Mountain area to where the creek enters the Susquehanna River. There are known abandoned mines in the area of the creek. DEP is working to stabilize the bank near the subsidence and divert the flow of water back into the creek.”
Main Street between Luzerne Lumber and Courtdale Avenue remains closed to all traffic.
Officials on scene told Newswatch 16 that nearby residents were asked to leave their homes around 10 a.m. as a precaution. Crews from Luzerne County and Borough are working to refill the subsidence. Officials said residents should be allowed back into their homes later on Sunday.
The Luzerne County Transportation Authority posted the following detours/changes to its schedule for Monday:
- LCTA will have detours on the #6 Dallas Route on Monday due to closure of on and off ramps in the Back Mountain area from a mine subsidence on Sunday.
- LCTA will not be able to service stops #1115 and #1116 at the intersection of Main St. and Courtdale Ave.
- The detours are:
- Outbound: Bennett Street to Main Street, left on Main to Union St., left on Union St. to Wyoming Ave., then Wyoming Ave. to left on ramp to Route 309 to Dallas.
- Inbound: Route 309 to Exit 6, right on Wyoming Avenue to Union Street, right on Union St. to Main Street, right on Main St. to Bennett, right on Bennett, and continue with regular inbound.