OCALA, Fla. — Residents were forced from their homes in Ocala on Wednesday after several sinkholes opened up nearby.

• Sinkholes open up in Ocala neighborhood
• Residents of 8 townhomes evacuated
• RELATED: Police and fire rescue respond to possible sinkholes in Ocala

Officials say a series of sinkholes opened in the Fore Ranch area near Southwest 43rd Circle.

The holes caused eight townhomes across a pond to be evacuated. The pond itself has also been draining.

Engineers will now need to figure out what caused the sinkholes. Officials initally said they could have been caused by a water main break. 

One homeowner watched the phenomenon happen.

"We got to see the whole thing unfold," Chris Canine said. "I got to see the water level drop all way down. (There were) four to five holes popping up. Quite amazing."

Reporter Sarah Panko contributed to the story.