Sinkholes vs Cave-Ins in Missouri | St. Louis News

Missouri’s got more than just potholes—thousands of natural sinkholes lurk beneath its surface, some plunging over 100 feet deep. But when the ground caves in, it’s often not nature’s fault: busted water mains or sewer lines are the real culprits, like the massive I-44 collapse in St. Louis. Sinkholes form slowly over millennia as rainwater dissolves limestone, while cave-ins are sudden failures from human infrastructure. Homeowners can reduce risk by keeping gutters clear, planting soil-stabilizing grasses, and checking bedrock maps—but remember, those maps only show known holes. If you spot sinking ground, call 811 to check for utilities. Fence off any new holes, mark cracks to track growth, and hire a pro engineer for repairs—often involving layered rock, soil, and vegetation. Even fixed sinkholes can reopen, so stay vigilant. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/50fef7a1f15c0dd5