Tunnel Girl’s Quick Rise to Fame
The mysterious @engineer.everything on TikTok has posted videos of her home improvement projects for years. She proudly shows her followers how to DIY almost any construction project imaginable.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
But it was her impressive tunnel that made the TikToker go viral and gain hundreds of thousands of followers.
The Secret Tunnel
The “secret tunnel,” as she calls it, is incredibly deep and long, and while executed well, many of the 7.6 million people who have viewed her work have questions.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
First and foremost, people wonder if the 22-foot-deep tunnel is safe, and others wonder if it’s even legal.
Someone Called the Authorities on Tunnel Girl
Of course, most of her TikTok followers have no idea where she lives, as she only calls herself Kala and never mentions even the name of the state where she resides.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
However, someone somehow found out where the tunneler lives and called the local authorities to report her.
Tunnel Girl Supposedly Lives in Herndon, Virginia
FOX 5 news recently reported that they received an email from authorities in Herndon, Virginia, claiming that they were told the woman building the famous tunnel lives in their town.
Source: @WanderThisWay/YouTube
The email stated, “As is standard protocol following such notifications, representatives from the building official’s and zoning administrator’s offices conducted a site inspection on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023” (via Yahoo).
'Kala' Has Been Identified
The email from Herndon went on to say, “The town is working with the property owner to correct any violations and ensure that the property is safe and in compliance with the code.”
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
But while it’s clear that the local authorities have identified “Kala” the tunnel girl, they have not released any of her personal information such as her last name or even the neighborhood where she lives.
The Media Went Looking for Kala
Apparently, FOX 5 also received a tip as to the exact location of Kala’s home and tunnel project.
Source: @FOX5/YouTube
However, when they went to the home, Kala wasn’t there and the woman who answered the door wouldn’t answer any questions on the matter, other than to confirm that it was in fact Kala’s place of residence.
Several of Kala’s Neighbors Have Answered Questions Anonymously
During their investigation, FOX 5 was able to speak to several of Kala’s neighbors, and although they chose to remain anonymous, they did have a few interesting things to say.
Source: @FOX5/YouTube
One neighbor told the press, “It’s kind of crazy. Kind of funny, not going to lie. But definitely I have some concerns with whatever she is doing and like, the area around us is soil and whatnot. Just making sure she’s not damaging the properties around.”
Tunnel Girl Responds to Rumors Her Project Has Been Shut Down
With Kala’s story now making headline news, many of her followers were wondering exactly what happened when the authorities showed up at her house, and most importantly, if she had to stop building her famous tunnel.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
So Kala made a video explaining exactly what happened. She said on TikTok, “They did give me a stop work order,” and that the project needed an immediate evaluation by a professional engineer.
The Tunnel Is Paused Until Kala Can Secure the Correct Permits
At the end of the video clip, Kala explains that she thinks it’s going to be quite easy to get the permits and approvals she needs to continue building her tunnel.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
However, while Kala is certainly hopeful and believes that she has followed the necessary building codes to be approved, the rest of the world isn’t nearly as confident.
Kala’s TikTok Followers Respond to Her Current Dilemma
Some of Kala’s TikTok followers have responded to the shutdown of the tunnel with words of support and encouragement, but others have noted that the DIY queen doesn’t fully understand how challenging it is to get the permits she needs.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
One follower wrote, “Kala has NO idea what’s coming for her when that many professionals [say to] her ‘immediately,’ but the acreage wait times are weeks/months.”
Who Is Tunnel Girl?
So, who is the tunnel girl? Well, the world still doesn’t know for sure. But everyone now does know that she lives in Herndon, Virginia, and that local authorities have inspected her viral tunnel.
Source: @engineer.everything/TikTok
And her half a million followers are desperately waiting for her to get the permits she needs to continue building her tunnel and get back to making the videos they all know and love.