The National Park Service has concluded that the sinkhole next to the White House poses no threat to the historic building.
After conducting an excavation, NPS spokeswoman Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles released a statement Friday explaining that the sinkhole in the North Lawn was likely result of “recent heavy rains that eroded the soil,” and they will be working to permanently fill the void in the coming days.
@NatlParkService has completed excavation around White House sinkhole. We will plug with concrete, fill excavated area, and resod. Excavation confirmed it poses no risk to @WhiteHouse. DC has had more than double average May rainfall. Sinkholes are common following heavy rain. pic.twitter.com/FrHb9WmGJl
— Jenny A-S NPS (@NPSJennyAS) May 25, 2018
“The Washington D.C. area has experienced significant precipitation over the past few weeks, more than double the average amount of precipitation for May, with particularly intense periods of rain last week,” the statement read. “Sinkholes are common occurrences following heavy rain.”
The sinkhole gained significant attention after a White House reporter noticed it and began tracking it’s progression on Twitter earlier this week. The void garnered a plethora of jokes surrounding President Trump and his “drain the swamp” campaign slogan.
