Help Family After Sinkhole

Dear Friends, Community Members, and Strangers:

I’m reaching out on behalf of my brother Kaleb, my nieces, and my mother, who lives with Kaleb in Phenix City, Alabama. If you look at the apocalyptic-looking photo above, you’ll see Kaleb standing in a sinkhole where his driveway and front yard used to be. You’ll also see the foundation of his home. This is why I am asking for your help.

In May 2023, a small sinkhole opened in Kaleb’s yard. Some investigation revealed that the cause was a five-foot-wide drainage pipe for the pond across that street that was made of substandard material and isn’t in the property plans filed with the municipality. Because of how large the pipe is, the cost to replace it would be at least half a million dollars! While Kaleb spent several hundred dollars to have the sinkhole filled, it reopened and gradually expanded until a recent rainstorm drastically opened the sinkhole to what you see above.

As a result of this expansion of the sinkhole, Kaleb and my mom had to leave their home. With the foundation now showing, the structural stability of the home is too uncertain to remain. They are temporarily staying in hotels and with friends, and they had to kennel my mom’s three dogs. They have also moved all of their belongings to storage and are now looking for a place to rent while they search for some solution to the situation.

Kaleb is an active member of the Army, and Mom is a nurse at the VA (Veteran’s Affairs). He has spent the last 7 months trying to figure out who is responsible for this pipe that he didn’t even know existed when he purchased the property just two years ago, but the process has been complicated and expensive. There will likely be significant legal fees that may or may not lead to them being able to return home. And in the meantime, they will have moving expenses and two home payments. Paying for a mortgage and rent, on top of the costs of sorting out this issue, is simply not tenable for them.

If you are able, any assistance you can provide would greatly lessen the financial strain on Kaleb and my mother. The Earth has literally fallen from beneath their feet, and I’m hoping we can help them secure some stability while they search for answers and solutions. My family and I truly appreciate your generosity. Thank you!

Drew