Possible sinkhole displaces St. Cloud veteran, his family

ST. CLOUD, Fla. – A disabled veteran and his family are packing up their home after city officials ordered them out because of settlement cracks the family thinks are the result of a sinkhole.

City officials say the family must be out by Monday. Ryan O'Rear tells Local 6 he and his wife found a place to rent with their two young daughters and three dogs, but they're paying double rent they can't afford.

"How are we supposed to pay for a house that we can't even live in, that's not even ours? We're basically paying two and-a-half mortgage payments," he said.

O'Rear says his insurance company is giving him trouble about paying to fix the possible sinkhole, so he's hired a lawyer.

In the meantime, the family will have to pay almost double for their monthly living expenses.

"It's our home. It's where we come everyday. It's where we spend our time together and to lose that is like losing everything," said O'Rear.

O'Rear says the situation is worse because it was unexpected. The family noticed settlement cracks about a year ago, but O'Rear says an inspector commissioned by the insurance company assured the family the house was safe.

Josh Zudar, who's representing the O'Rear's, says anyone who thinks they have sinkhole damage should document everything. He recommends taking pictures and copious notes before contacting an insurance company.

If that doesn't work, Zudar says it's time to contact a lawyer who can help.