Sinkhole forms in downtown Austin; second hole fixed, related to water leak repairs
Close look at sinkhole on 10th Street between Congress Avenue and Brazos Street in downtown Austin on November 20, 2025.
AUSTIN, Texas - A sinkhole has formed in downtown Austin.
The city says it was caused by a failed storm drain pipe and has a temporary fix to allow traffic.
THE LATEST: Downtown Austin sinkhole: City crews begin permanent repairs to storm drain system
What we know:
The sinkhole is located at 114 E. 10th Street between Congress Avenue and Brazos Street.
City crews responded, and the area was coned off to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety, says the city. Metal plates were installed over the sinkhole and E. 10th Street has been reopened to traffic.
Curbside parking spaces near the sinkhole are temporarily closed and will reopen later Thursday.
The city says the metal plates are a temporary measure to allow drivers to access the parking garage and use the road.
The city will continue to monitor the spot until permanent repairs to the storm drain can be made, weather permitting. More information will be available after the Thanksgiving holidays.
8th Street hole
A second such hole was seen on 8th Street, due to a water main leak that happened Wednesday night in the 700 block of Brazos Street.
Austin Water crews responded and there were no water service impacts on customers.
The opening seen in the road was actually an excavation point, so crews could access and repair the leak, not a sinkhole.
Repairs to the water main are complete, and the 8th Street hole has been repaired.
Photo of hole on 8th Street between Congress Avenue and Brazos Street that was initially believed to be a sinkhole. Austin Water says the hole was actually releated to water leak repairs and has since been repaired.
Raccoons seen in sinkhole
Dig deeper:
The city says raccoons were seen peeking out of the sinkhole "as they can have healthy habitats in underground infrastructure and were curious."
The raccoons appeared healthy, showed no signs of distress, and left on their own.
The city is reminding the public that it is not recommended to interact with raccoons directly as they are wild animals and could carry the rabies virus.
The Source: Information from reporting by FOX 7 Austin. An earlier version of this story stated there was a sinkhole on 8th Street, but that has since been corrected with new information from Austin Water.