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Families Displaced Following Sinkhole In Allentown

By Jericka Duncan

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Officials tell Eyewitness News about seven families in Allentown remain displaced because of a 30-by-40 foot-long sinkhole that gave way Thursday morning.

The incident happened in the 300 Block of North 10th Street.

"My key wouldn't even unlock, because the house shifted already," said Geryl Hodge.

Even though inspectors eventually opened her door, Geryl Hodge still can't go inside her home. Inspectors say it's not safe yet. The sinkhole caused enough structural damage Thursday to force about a dozen neighbors, including Geryl, to find somewhere else to sleep. It's just one more problem for the mother of two, who's already struggling to keep food on the table.

"I've been unemployed for the last two years," said Hodge. "So it's been especially a hard year. I lost my unemployment benefits in August."

Public Works Department Director Richard Young says sinkholes are common in the Lehigh Valley.

"We're on limestone geology and limestone is subject to sinkholes," said Young.

Officials say they're not sure exactly what caused the sinkhole.

"The sinkhole either caused the waterline to break, or there was a break in the water line that caused the sinkhole," said Young.

Meanwhile, the Lehigh Valley Coroner's Office is monitoring soil activity to determine whether more than 50 bodies will be exhumed from the Union & West End Cemetery, adjacent to the sinkhole.

As for Hodge, the unemployed mother who has been displaced, she says she's keeping her spirits up, praying her family will spend new years in their own home.

"I'm just trusting and believing God and his timing and hoping everything works to the good."

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