Two large sinkholes open up right beside roadway in McMinn County

MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Drivers are being asked to seek alternate routes after two large sinkholes opened right next to State Route 39.

Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Rae Anne Bradley shared about the first sinkhole around mile marker 3.4, saying the sinkhole was large enough to close the road, just before 3 p.m.

Photos of the sinkhole show that there is a broken water line in the sinkhole, and the hole appears to be partially under the roadway. Bradley explained that the cause of the sinkhole has not been determined.

About two and a half hours later, Bradley shared another post on social media platform X, saying a second sinkhole opened about 100 feet away from the first one. A photo of the second sinkhole shows that part of the roadway had crumpled into the sinkhole.

Both sinkholes appear to be large enough that they could cause significant damage or injury if a car hit them.

Throughout East Tennessee, multiple organizations and schools are closed because of the severe weather, and several roads are also impacted by weather. Click here to view the list.

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