Dozens of homes evacuated in San as ground shifts and caves behind sever

January 25, 2010

Dozens of homes evacuated in San as ground shifts and caves behind

several houses

Mon Jan 25, 1:45 PM

By The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO - Dozens of homes were evacuated in San after the ground

below began shifting, creating crevices up to 15 feet (4 1/2 metres) deep and

nearly splitting a nearby retaining wall in half, officials said.

About 80 homes were first evacuated on Sunday after residents in a northwest

side subdivision reported that the ground was caving behind several houses. No

one was injured.

The large crack in the retaining wall sent soil tumbling out below. Fences were

tossed askew and crumpled like accordions, and aerial photos showed land had

given way near the foundations of several homes.

Engineers at the scene Monday were trying to determine why the ground was

shifting and how much damage it could cause.

Fire Department District Chief Nim Kidd said at least seven streets had to be

closed since the ground started shifting on Friday. Kidd estimated the ground

has been slipping at the rate of about 4 inches (10 centimetres) an hour.

The homes were in a new subdivision built by Pulte Homes Inc. The homebuilder

was providing lodging and meals for the evacuated residents, company spokeswoman

Dolenga said Monday.

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