Florida doesn’t just have beaches and theme parks-it has ground that can suddenly disappear beneath your feet. Sinkholes aren’t rare here. They’re a quiet, ongoing threat, especially in certain cities where the geology is just asking for trouble. If you’re thinking about buying a home, renting an apartment, or even just visiting Kissimmee, you need to know which parts of Florida are most at risk. And yes, Kissimmee is one of them.
Why Florida Has So Many Sinkholes
Florida’s bedrock isn’t solid rock like you’d find in Colorado or Arizona. It’s mostly limestone, a soft, porous stone that’s been dissolved by rainwater over thousands of years. This creates underground caves and tunnels. When the roof of one of those caves collapses-often because of heavy rain, a broken water line, or even just the weight of a house-it opens up a sinkhole.
Over 1,000 sinkholes are reported in Florida every year. That’s more than any other state. The U.S. Geological Survey calls Florida the sinkhole capital of the U.S. And it’s not random. Some areas are far more vulnerable than others because of how deep the limestone is, how much groundwater flows through it, and how much development has changed the natural drainage.
Kissimmee: A Sinkhole Hotspot
Kissimmee sits right in the middle of Florida’s sinkhole belt. It’s not just near Disney World-it’s built on some of the oldest, most dissolved limestone in the state. The city has seen over 120 documented sinkholes since 2000. In 2013, a sinkhole swallowed a home on East Broadway, killing one person. Another in 2016 opened up under a gas station, forcing a full evacuation.
The area around Lake Tohopekaliga and the southern edge of Kissimmee, near the Osceola County line, has the highest concentration. Homes there often have cracks in walls, doors that stick, or circular patches of dead grass in the yard-early signs of trouble. Insurance claims for sinkhole damage in Kissimmee are 30% higher than the Florida state average.
Other Two Sinkhole Cities in Florida
Kissimmee isn’t alone. Two other cities share the same dangerous geology-and both are just a short drive away.
Spring Hill, near Tampa, has been called the sinkhole capital of the Tampa Bay area. Since 2010, over 150 sinkholes have been recorded there. In 2019, a sinkhole opened under a school parking lot, swallowing two cars. Spring Hill’s soil is mostly sand over thin limestone, making it easy for water to wash away the support beneath foundations.
Seffner, a small town just south of Tampa, has one of the highest sinkhole claim rates per capita in Florida. In 2021, a sinkhole swallowed a two-story home in just 10 minutes. Residents there report water turning muddy after rain, and many have installed concrete-filled trenches around their property to try and redirect water flow. Seffner’s sinkhole problem is so bad that the local government now requires all new home permits to include a geotechnical survey.
What Makes These Cities Different?
Not all Florida cities are equally at risk. Miami? Low risk. Tallahassee? Minimal. But Kissimmee, Spring Hill, and Seffner all share three key traits:
- Thin limestone layer: Less than 10 feet of solid rock under the soil in many spots.
- High water table: Groundwater is close to the surface, constantly eroding the limestone.
- Old development: Many homes were built in the 1970s and 80s without modern soil testing.
These aren’t places where sinkholes happen once in a generation. They happen every few years. And they’re getting worse. As climate change brings heavier rains and more frequent storms, the pressure on these underground cavities increases.
How to Check if Your Home Is at Risk
If you live in or are thinking about moving to one of these cities, don’t wait for the ground to open up. Here’s what to do:
- Look for warning signs: Cracks in walls or driveways, slumping trees, circular patches of dead grass, or doors that won’t close properly.
- Check the Florida Geological Survey map: They have an online tool that shows sinkhole risk zones by zip code. Just enter your address.
- Ask for a sinkhole inspection: A licensed geotechnical engineer can do a ground-penetrating radar scan for under $500. It’s not cheap, but it’s cheaper than losing your house.
- Review your insurance: Standard homeowners insurance in Florida doesn’t cover sinkholes. You need a separate endorsement. Make sure yours is active.
One homeowner in Kissimmee told me she ignored a small crack in her garage floor for two years. When the sinkhole finally opened, it took her entire living room. She lost everything. She didn’t have sinkhole insurance. She’s still paying off the loan on a house that no longer exists.
What’s Being Done?
Local governments are starting to act. Osceola County (where Kissimmee is) now requires sinkhole disclosure on all home sales. Hillsborough County (where Seffner and Spring Hill are) has started mapping underground cavities using drone-based LiDAR. But these are reactive measures. There’s no way to stop sinkholes from forming-only to spot them early and avoid building on the worst spots.
The truth? Florida’s sinkhole problem isn’t going away. It’s growing. And if you’re in one of these three cities, you’re living in a landscape that’s slowly, quietly, collapsing beneath you.
What to Do If You’re in a High-Risk Area
If you’re already living in Kissimmee, Seffner, or Spring Hill, here’s your action plan:
- Get a professional inspection-even if nothing looks wrong.
- Install a sump pump to keep groundwater away from your foundation.
- Never ignore small cracks-they’re not just cosmetic.
- Know your insurance policy-read the fine print. Some policies only cover catastrophic collapse, not gradual sinking.
- Join your neighborhood alert group. Many communities now have WhatsApp or Nextdoor groups where people report new sinkholes in real time.
There’s no magic fix. But knowing the risks and acting early can save your home, your savings, and maybe your life.
Are sinkholes covered by homeowners insurance in Florida?
No, standard Florida homeowners insurance does not cover sinkhole damage. You must buy a separate sinkhole endorsement. Even then, many policies only pay out if the damage is catastrophic-like a house collapsing. Gradual sinking or foundation cracks often aren’t covered unless you have a comprehensive policy. Always check your policy wording.
Can you prevent sinkholes from forming?
You can’t prevent them entirely, but you can reduce the risk. Fix leaking pipes immediately. Avoid overwatering lawns. Install drainage systems to redirect rainwater away from your foundation. Avoid digging or adding heavy structures like pools or sheds on vulnerable ground. The goal isn’t to stop nature-it’s to reduce the triggers that make it happen sooner.
Is Kissimmee safe to live in because of sinkholes?
Kissimmee is safe to live in-if you’re informed. Most homes don’t collapse. But the risk is real and higher than in most other Florida cities. If you’re buying, get a geotechnical inspection. If you’re renting, ask if the landlord has sinkhole insurance. Know the warning signs. Don’t assume it won’t happen to you. It’s happened to thousands of others.
How often do sinkholes happen in these cities?
In Kissimmee, about 5-10 new sinkholes are reported each year. In Seffner and Spring Hill, it’s 8-12 annually. But many go unreported because they’re small or happen in backyards. The real number is likely 2-3 times higher. Most happen during the rainy season-May through October-when groundwater levels rise and weaken underground supports.
Do new homes in these cities have less risk?
Not necessarily. Newer homes are built with better foundations and may have soil testing, but they’re still built on the same unstable geology. In fact, some newer developments have been built on land previously used for farming or drainage, which can make sinkholes more likely. The key isn’t age-it’s whether the land was properly tested before construction.