Surrey Residents Evacuated as Massive 65-Foot Sinkhole Swallows Part of Village

Residents of Godstone High Street, a village in Surrey, have been forced to evacuate after a large sinkhole suddenly opened up, reaching at least 65 feet since it first appeared on Monday night, February 17.

The sinkhole, located 20 miles south of London, has prompted urgent safety measures as authorities work to prevent further collapses. Officials evacuated homes in the area out of an abundance of caution, warning that if the sinkhole expands further, it could damage underground pipes and potentially cause an explosion.

“It’s an absolute nightmare. Dreadful,” said local resident Tracey Jones, whose daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were among those evacuated.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while working with Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum to assist displaced residents.

Experts believe a ruptured water main may have contributed to the collapse, exacerbated by the area’s sandy geology and history as a former sand quarry. Dr. Philip Collins, a geotechnical engineering expert from Brunel University London, explained that wet sand loses its strength, making the ground unstable.

Emergency Response and Water Supply Issues

Surrey County officials, emergency services, and SES Water have been working around the clock to ensure residents' safety.

SES Water confirmed that water service was successfully restored overnight, though residents might notice discoloration, unusual taste, or odor due to sediment disturbance in the mains. “Please be assured there are no health risks associated with drinking this water,” the company assured in a statement.