SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. — Access to some South Strabane businesses is currently limited because of a massive sinkhole. The South Strabane Fire Department says the large sinkhole formed because of flood waters on Saturday. The sinkhole is blocking access to Oak Spring Plaza. The Eat’n Park in that plaza is also temporarily closed, as gas and water is shut off in the area. An official on scene said it could take a week for the sinkhole to be fixed. Fire Chief Jordan Cramer says the same water pressure that caused the sinkhole caused what’s happening in their parking lot. ponding was created after a pipe underneath the lot was crushed. Now, fire trucks, which are up to 30 to 60 thousand pounds, can no longer travel on top of the pavement safely. “We had a few inches of water that came through,” said Chief Jordan Cramer with South Strabane Township Fire and Emergency Services. “It was the first time that had ever happened in probably 30 years. I didn’t even know that that was possible because of the way that this building sits.” Chief Cramer said his crews were out saving flood victims from cars and houses until 4 o’clock in the morning. “Just a lot of things that were going on at the same time within one municipality, where those are some difficult instances to respond to on a regular day, let alone also simultaneously,” said Chief Cramer. Now their crews are working to make sure they can respond to emergencies, as even more rain is expected to move through the area this week. The station experienced extensive damage. Chief Cramer said his next step is to try and receive additional funding from the state.
(Photo: South Strabane Fire Department)