Living in a picturesque neighborhood near South Dakota’s Black Hills is a dream for many, but for Stuart and Tonya Junker, that dream turned into a nightmare when sinkholes began appearing around their home. The prospect of their home collapsing into one of these gaping holes has left them living in fear.
The root of their problem lies in the fact that the state sold land for the Hideaway Hills subdivision despite knowing it was perched above an old mine. As the sinkholes expanded, Stuart and Tonya Junker, along with approximately 150 of their neighbors, took legal action by suing the state for $45 million to cover not only the value of their homes but also the legal costs incurred.
Sinkholes are not uncommon, often caused by collapsed caves, old mines, or dissolving material. However, the situation in South Dakota is particularly unique, according to geological engineering expert Paul Santi from the Colorado School of Mines. The scale of the sinkholes and the threat they pose to numerous homes make the Hideaway Hills scenario one that will undoubtedly be recorded in textbooks for generations to come.
Located a few miles northwest of Rapid City, Hideaway Hills was developed between 2002 and 2004 on land previously used for mining gypsum for a state-owned cement plant. Attorney Kathy Barrow, representing residents of 94 homes in the subdivision, mentioned that the state failed to disclose critical information about the subsurface condition, leading to the current crisis.
The situation escalated dramatically after a significant sinkhole opened up in 2020, triggering a series of subsequent collapses. Now, residents are facing numerous holes and sinkings, with unstable ground impacting over 150 homes and disrupting essential infrastructure.
Despite the heartbreaking ordeal, the state is contesting liability and arguing that other parties, such as developers and homebuilders, share blame for the disaster. Amidst the legal battle, residents like the Junkers are left in limbo, uncertain of their future and struggling to make sense of the chaos that has disrupted their lives.
For the Junkers, the lawsuit represents a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. Their once-peaceful neighborhood has transformed into a battleground against nature, leaving them to fight for their rights and the value of their home.
As they navigate the uncertainties of the legal process, the Junkers reflect on the life they’ve built in their home over the past 15 years and the challenges that lie ahead. Stuart Junker’s desire for fair compensation echoes the sentiments of many residents facing similar hardships, hoping for a resolution that will bring an end to their ordeal.
In a neighborhood that once symbolized tranquility, the echoes of past mining activities now reverberate through the lives of its residents, leaving them to grapple with the aftermath of a disaster that no one could have foreseen.
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