Baltimore Block-Long Sinkhole Gulps Up Cars

Authorities say a block-long sinkhole in a residential neighborhood in Baltimore caused many drivers to have to contact their insurance companies on Wednesday afternoon.

Several houses also had to be evacuated.

The residents call the area “Pastel Row” because every house on the block is painted a different color. They are classic homes built in the 1920s.

The Baltimore residents in the vicinity said that the noise of the slide sounded like thunder and lasted for about 15 seconds, shaking the ground.

According to the fire department’s Twitter account, the sinkhole opened up in the first block of 26th street. The hole was located next to the railroad tracks used by CSX.

Baltimore (and most of central Maryland) has been drenched in rain for the last 24 hours. Witnesses have said it looks like a landslide caused the giant sinkhole.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported and CSX has stopped traffic until debris is cleared.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake addressed the community Wednesday evening after the event.

We’re extremely blessed that we’re talking about property damage and damage to the street and no loss of life.”

The scene is surrounded with yellow caution tape, and the mayor advocated that in order to prevent injuries people need not get near the tape.