Drilling for relief well at Bayou Corne sinkhole is underway
BAYOU CORNE, LA (NBC33) — The next major development is underway in trying to determine just what caused that massive sinkhole in Assumption Parish.
The drilling rig has been assembled and drilling operations along with driving in the casing have begun on the relief well next to the sinkhole. Any cleanup work in the area has been halted as crews started to drill around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18.
Drilling will continue 24-hours a day for at least the next 40 days before scientists can run tests to see if an abandoned salt cavern is causing the sinkhole that sits just 2500 feet from the closest home in the area.
"Right now casing is going down easy with little resistance. But as day goes on, resistance may be heard and may feel slight vibrations,” John Boudreaux, Assumption Parish Emergency Preparedness, said.
Officials also say the area of the sinkhole is continuing to grow. Most of the people who live anywhere near there have been evacuated.
http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/local-news/drilling-for-relief-well-at-bayou-corne-sinkhole-is-underway