Langley Police Chief Randy Heston describe a grim scene.

A sinkhole develops on First Street and Anthes Avenue, between the empty Dog House Tavern and empty Mike’s Place Restaurant. The sinkhole quickly swallows more dirt from under the street during a rain storm. The lost earth cracks the pavement and ruptures the waterline.

It was an imagined emergency scenario law enforcement and city leaders tried to manage during a recent meeting. Heston, Councilman Hal Seligson and South Whidbey Fire/EMS Chief H.L. “Rusty” Palmer tried to solve the fake crisis, and found they were woefully lost and unprepared for several emergencies in Langley.

“Hopefully this autumn, there will be an actual, on-the-street scenario played out,” Seligson said.