BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Recovery is underway in Bowling Green, after over 20 roads were impassable last week because of flood waters. Now that the water is gone, the city is now dealing with dozens of sinkholes.

What You Need To Know

  • Dozens of sinkholes have formed in Bowling Green after the floods

  • Each hole will take one to two weeks to repair

  • The City of Bowling Green is hoping to use FEMA funds to help with the cost

  • If someone sees a new sinkhole is forming, please contact the City of Bowling Green at 270-393-3628

Andy Souza, the public works director for the City of Bowling Green, said more sinkholes are likely to appear.

Souza said, “Really, we’re just waiting to see. Time will tell within the next 10 days or so. Some additional ones could open up.”

According to Souza, the normal annual budget for these repairs is $100,000, which the city has exceeded because of the high number of sinkholes. The city is hoping for an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump, using FEMA funds to help with costs. 

Souza said, “We will fix these sinkholes, regardless. Right now, that will have to come out of the general fund, which is the same pot of money that pays for parks, police, firefighters, and we’re hoping to recoup some of those costs with a disaster declaration.”

Each hole will take one to two weeks to repair. Sinkholes are going to be repaired based on how they dangerous they are.

Souza said, “The ones that impose an imminent danger to the public we’ll fix immediately.”

Souza said with the high number of sinkholes, crews could work on them until as late July.

If someone sees a new sinkhole is forming, please contact the City of Bowling Green at 270-393-3628.

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