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The FDEP has recorded four sinkholes in Indian River County . Th first err developed in 1981 in Fellsmere and was 3 x 3 x 1 foot . The second developed in 1981 in Fellsmere and was 1 x 1 x 2 feet. The third developed in 1981 in Fellsmere and was 3 x 3 x 1 foot. And , the fourth developed in 1985 in Fellsmere and was 45 x 45 x 45 feet . The FDEP database does not document any sinkholes in Vero Beach , Indian River Shores , Orchid , or Sebastian . 4. 1 . 10. 4 Vulnerability Assessment There are areas in western Indian River County where canal bank ailures could cause or exacerbate flooding during heavy rain events or storms . This problern is , however , more related to soil erosion than to actual levee failure . There has never been any seismic activity , soil failures , and few sinkholes in Indian River County . While these hazards may exist , County vulnerability to them at this time is considered very low . Seismic events can have the following potential impacts within a community : • Electric power outage ; • Surface and air transportation disruption ; • Potable water system loss or disruption ; • Sewer system outage ; • Telecommunications system outage ; • Human health and safety ; • Psychological hardship ; • Economic disruption ; ``W • Disruption of community services ; • Damage to identified historical resources ; • Fire ; Toxic releases ; and • Stormwater drainage impairment. The USDOI , USGS and the Florida Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Geology have created a map illustrating sinkhole type , development , and distribution for the state of Florida . Sinkhole risk is categorized using four categories . According to this map , Indian River County lies in Area II , which is classified as having coverage between 30 and 200 feet thick , consisting of incohesive and permeable sand . Sinkholes are few , shallow , of small diameter , and develop gradually . Cover-subsidence sinkholes dominate in this area . 4. 1 . 10. 5 Risk Assessment The risk assessment data for seismic hazards (sinkhole only) in Indian River County are based on data developed for the MEMPHIS , which was developed by the FDCA . According to MEMPHIS , there are 51 , 052 structures located in the very low hazard area , 3 structures in the low hazard area , 7 in the medium hazard area , 1 in the high hazard area , and none in the very high hazard area . Building values in each of the hazard categories is as follows . There is $ 5 . 8 billion dollars worth of exposure in the very low, $ 1 . 3 million in the low , $ 171 , 000 in the medium , $62 , 000 in the high , and $2 , 100 in the very high . 4-49