This sinkhole was a byproduct of pipeline construction and temporarily affected construction until the hole was filled. It did not pose a safety risk to nearby residents, property or operating pipelines.
What would have happened if it had been an emergency situation?
- If it had been an emergency that endangered people or property, then emergency responders from the West Whiteland Fire Company, West Whiteland Police Department and Chester County's Department of Emergency Services would have been on site immediately. In such a case, if emergency responders decided that the circumstances warranted evacuation, then neighbors would have received a reverse 911 call from Chester County directing them about where to go and what to do.
- Whether to evacuate, and in which direction to evacuate, is determined on a case by case basis, depending on the nature of the emergency, weather conditions and any other relevant factors for the emergency at hand.
- If you no longer have a landline telephone, be sure to sign up through Chester County's Ready Chesco system to receive reverse 911 alerts on your cell phone or email.
- If the sinkhole had exposed operating pipelines in such a way that their integrity could have been compromised posing a safety risk, then PA PUC would have shut down operation of those pipelines pending further investigation.
- If the sinkhole had posed a risk to the nearby wetlands or stream, PA DEP would have shut down pipeline construction pending further investigation.