Massive sinkhole caused by storm forces extended closure of Oakland Zoo
OAKLAND -- Officials with the Oakland Zoo on Sunday announced the facility will remain closed at least through January 17th due to damage from a collapsed culvert that created a huge sinkhole at the zoo's vehicle entrance.
According to the press release issued by the zoo, the large sinkhole opened up at the zoo's Golf Links Road vehicle entrance during this weekend's atmospheric river. The sinkhole is approximately 10 feet wide and approximately 10 feet deep and is impassable to vehicles.
The Oakland Zoo Twitter account posted photos and video of the damage.
"The culvert, overburdened by the historic and unprecedented amount of rainfall throughout the region over the past few days, serves as a connect for Arroyo Viejo Creek and runs beneath the entry road to the Zoo," the statement said.
Engineers who inspected the damage Saturday said the sinkhole could get worse with the additional rain expected over the next several days. Officials are working with a local engineering company to make the necessary repairs, but it could take up to two weeks or longer for needed materials to arrive so the work can be completed.
"We have unfortunately had flooding throughout the zoo," Oakland Zoo CEO Nik Dehejia told CBS News Bay Area on Monday. "The speed and volume of water coming in the zoo and down the hillside has wreaked havoc. So pathways, parking lots and buildings have been getting water in them."
Other areas of the zoo were also impacted by the storm Saturday, with rain water causing extensive soil erosion that overwhelmed drainage systems and caused multiple eucalyptus trees to fall. There was also flooding in several buildings and electrical problems caused by the storm.
There were no injuries to zoo staff or animals, While the zoo will remain closed, staff will stay onsite to take care of the animals, provide maintenance needs, and conduct clean-ups from damage caused by the rain.
Repairs can't begin until the rain ends and final costs are unknown. The goal now is to protect the rest of the zoo.
"We got to keep the drains clear to the best of our ability," Dehejia said. "We've got barriers set up, sand bags, straw wattles, and everything possible to ensure that water gets diverted appropriately."
An area resident who gave his name as Michael has lived just up the hill from the zoo for ten years. He said he has not seen rain like this before.
"We thought there was a river coming out of the zoo," said Michael. "We didn't see the sinkhole we just saw the water."
He said he believes the zoo will pull through.
"I am very confident in the zoo they have always maintained everything well, so we just have to wait and see what happens."
Guests with reservations to visit the Oakland Zoo or attend the Glowfari illuminated lantern festival, will be emailed about getting refunds for their tickets. The zoo is also exploring the possibility of extending the popular Glowfari event into February. More information on reopening and progress in the repairs will be available on the Oakland Zoo website.
