Huge sinkhole forces evacuations in Haverhill after storm

HAVERHILL — Nearly two dozen people have been evacuated from a multi-family home in Haverhill after a sinkhole formed following Tuesday’s storms.

The city said a 100-year-old sewer line gave way and started drawing soil into the pipe, eventually creating the sinkhole.

According to city officials, the sinkhole had come within 15 feet of a multi-family home on Ford Street Friday night. It is 15 feet deep and growing by the day.

Residents were evacuated from the building as a precaution. The city said they put some in a nearby hotel and others chose to move in with relatives.

Robert Ward is Director of Public Works at Haverhill. “It’s one of the more intense downpours I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Ward. “There’s a lot of damage around the city. Localized areas, drainage culverts, things like that. Lots of water in people’s basements.”

Ward estimated total damage from Tuesday’s storms to total $1 million in Haverhill. The mayor declared a local state of emergency on Friday in an effort to free up money for repairs.

Crews are now working to build a sewer line bypass so a team of engineers can come in and stabilize the sinkhole. Ward said repairs should be completed by Tuesday, but the timeline is subject to delays.