VALDOSTA, Ga. — Officials in southern Georgia are asking residents to steer clear after a large sinkhole opened up Tuesday night closing one road and swallowing an entire pond.

“It started on private property and has swallowed up an entire pond,” said Lowndes County Clerk Paige Dukes. “Right now, we’ve got three places right next to the road that have opened up.”

While Dukes said it was too dark for Lowndes County Engineering crews to evaluate the size of the sinkhole, surrounding roads have been closed due to the extremely unstable conditions.

“Citizens will need to take the usual detour. Please do not visit the area. This is not a photo opportunity,” said Dukes. “Sinkholes are unpredictable and can be extremely dangerous.”

Floyd writes for The Valdosta (Ga.) Daily Times.