Look for sinkholes. That is what happens when it rains a lot after a dry spell.
 

It will happen not just in The Villages but all over west central Florida which is the area where most sinkholes occur.

Someone will try to blame the developer...happens in progression.

Other than waking up and finding yourself 50 ft below ground anyway to know one is happening?

Cracks in the soil, driveway, or sidewalk, or a depressed area in your yard would be clues.

Sinkholes
 

So, who is responsible? I suppose there is no guarantee against SINKHOLES OR DRY LAKES in the newer Villages either! Google the following for examples:
"sinkhole at 733 Winifred Way" and "sinkhole at 17092 McLawren Terrace" and "sinkhole at 2536 Botello Ave", there are more, but you get the idea, watch out for those waterfront views.

No one is responsible unless you have homeowners insurance. All Florida policies must include "catastrophic ground collapse" coverage which will pay to repair damage to your house. But, if you have a sinkhole that damages your yard or driveway, but your house is not damaged or condemned, you need to have "sinkhole" which is an optional feature offered by some insurance companies for some houses.

As it's been explained numerous times in the past, here, on TV, on National news, in science magazines, etc. etc.:

Sinkholes are caused by nature. Not all ground collapses are sinkholes. Some ground collapses are caused by over-development, and badly-built water retention ponds. Some ground collapses were triggered by overdevelopment and badly-built water retention ponds, but would have happened naturally EVENTUALLY, had the develoopers left it alone. Development just sped it along.

:popcorn:
I'm guessing 75+ posts......

It’s good to scare the crap out of new people. Let’s them worry about something other than Covid and riots,

Better thoughts don’t worry about something you have no control over. If it happens call local authorities and then insurance. If it doesn’t happen to your house then you got some extra sleep

Sinkholes were my number one concern when buying. I studied as many factors as I could associated with them. Minimized as much as possible. Bought insurance too. Now it may happen at my place but I sleep in peace expecting the kitchen floor in the morning to be where it was the night before.

Hmm can we get cell phone signal when inside a sinkhole?

In all seriousness made sure our homeowners policy had coverage for sinkholes

There are two types of insurance policies for sink holes.

1. The mandatory one is of almost no use unless your house is basically condemned. The criteria is stated in your policy.

The sinking of the top layer of soil must occur abruptly.
A depression in the ground cover must be clearly visible without the aid of instruments.
There must be structural damage to the home, including the foundation itself.
A government agency must condemn and evacuate the structure.

2. The other type is an add on that is triggered by less severe damage. I would highly recommend it. If your insurance company will not offer it then find a new provider.

Sink holes are natural occurrences; unless you install corrugated drain pipe where reinforced concrete pipe should have been used. Ask the residents on Mclawren Terrace about the rotted pipe pulled from the area that was washing out the earth between those homes.

Agree with AsianThree, why worry about stuff you have absolutely no control over. Worry about something you have the power to change for the better.

Sink holes were my major concern when buying also. I saw on govt maps that they really are all over FL. Lots. Didn't seem to be any real “safe” areas so eventually bought anyway.

Are they truly random in The Villages, or are they more prevalent in one or more specific areas?