The pavement in an IHOP parking lot in Meridian, Mississippi, gave way Saturday and swallowed 12 cars. Local media reports Sunday described witnesses hearing a series of booms before the collapse, which was about 35 feet wide, 400 feet long, and 15 feet deep. No injuries were reported. Authorities emphasized the collapse was not result of a sinkhole, which is typically caused when an underground water aquifer dries out, said Meridian Public Safety Director Buck Roberts. Engineers and contractors were expected on the scene Monday to investigate the cause.
