Sinkholes Swallow South Dakota Suburb: Residents Sue State for $45 Million Over Hidden Mine Hazard

Sinkholes Threaten South Dakota Neighborhood, Residents Sue State for $45 Million

A quiet neighborhood near South Dakota’s Black Hills has become the center of a geological nightmare as residents grapple with the sudden appearance of sinkholes threatening their homes and safety. Stuart and Tonya Junker, long-time residents of the Hideaway Hills development, have found themselves at the forefront of a legal battle against the state, seeking $45 million in compensation for their home’s value and legal costs.

The Junkers, who once cherished their peaceful community, now watch helplessly as the earth collapses around them. “We loved our neighborhood, but now it’s become a hazard,” Stuart Junker stated. The couple blames the state for selling land above an old mine without proper disclosure, leading to the current crisis.

Paul Santi, a professor of geological engineering, commented on the uniqueness of the situation. “The combination of large sinkholes and endangered homes makes this case particularly notable,” Santi explained. “It’s likely to be included in geological case studies and textbooks for years to come.”

Hideaway Hills, built between 2002 and 2004 near Rapid City, sits on land previously owned by the state and mined for gypsum. While the state sold the surface land, it retained subsurface rights and failed to disclose the removal of the soil’s natural support.

The problem escalated dramatically in 2020 when a large sinkhole appeared near a resident mowing his lawn. Subsequent testing revealed an improperly sealed mine and a 40-foot-deep pit mine beneath the development. Since then, numerous sinkholes and unstable ground have affected homes, roads, and utilities in the area.

Residents find themselves in a dire situation, with many unable to afford to leave their now-dangerous homes. Safety concerns have escalated, including fears of school buses and homes collapsing. The emotional and financial distress in the community is palpable.

The legal battle with the state has intensified, with South Dakota asking a judge to dismiss the case. While expressing sympathies, the state denies liability and instead blames developers, realtors, and homebuilders for knowingly building over an abandoned mine. Historical records trace mining activities in the area back to the 1900s, with a state-owned cement plant mining from 1986, though the state claims no underground mining occurred during its ownership.

For the Junkers, the lawsuit represents their best hope for resolution. Stuart Junker has delayed retirement and taken on extra jobs to cope with the financial strain. Their home, built in 1929 and lovingly remodeled for retirement, now stands as a symbol of their shattered dreams.

As the legal proceedings continue, the residents of Hideaway Hills remain in limbo, their once-idyllic neighborhood now a cautionary tale of hidden dangers beneath the surface. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for land development and state responsibility in similar situations across the country.