HomeOwners for Better Building - Centex Homes landslide

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Growing landslide forces evacuation of 80 families
The city's emergency management coordinator says at least five homes are in danger of being destroyed in a "significant landslide" that is causing the earth to continue to shift on the Northwest Side... The landslide, which was previously thought by some to be a sinkhole, is still growing. It is at least six-feet wide in some places and ten to fifteen feet deep. Crews do not know what is causing the landslide. Chief Kidd says you can hear and see the land moving and the earth falling.

Growing landslide forces evacuation of 80 families
View Video Report: Growing sinkhole forces evacuation of Northwest Side homes
Leila Walsh
SAN ANTONIO - The city's emergency management coordinator says at least five homes are in danger of being destroyed in a "significant landslide" that is causing the earth to continue to shift on the Northwest Side.

Eighty families have been evacuated from their homes in the Hills of Rivermist subdivision near Bandera Road and Loop 1604. At a meeting Sunday night, people were told that they will not be allowed back into their homes this evening.

District Fire Chief Nim Kidd says it is unclear whether allowing people back into the area would "tip the scale" and cause the ground to give way.

The landslide, which was previously thought by some to be a sinkhole, is still growing. It is at least six-feet wide in some places and ten to fifteen feet deep. Crews do not know what is causing the landslide. Chief Kidd says you can hear and see the land moving and the earth falling.

“There is a huge, 20 to 30 foot retaining wall behind the homes that are affected by this. This is not the first time this wall has failed. It failed several years ago when Centex first started developing that area,” commented a WOAI.com user.

The following streets are closed because of this emergency situation: Valley Well, Pearl Lagoon, Ranchwell Cove, Parkdale Cove, Stream Run, Oak Water, and Treewell Glen. Residents are encouraged to call 311 for information.

Asapodotorg - 8:38 PM
A ll those water pipes breaking all over city? The Balcones Fault getting ready to "rumble"? Is that the first sign of it? Is San Antonio prepared for an "Earthquake" ? That neighborhood is near the faultline.The clock is "ticking" City of San Antonio,and Bexar County hid this from you very good. Read,and google "Earthquakes in Texas" 2012 around the corner......

210gray - 8:26 PM

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The Texas Highway Department had problems with the excavation related to F.M. 1604. CPS came close to loosing several poles on W. Blanco near 1604. The city of San Antonio closed a edwards water well when it became tainted with sewage near this area. The builders were told not to build on the recharge zone. All engineers know that you cannot stop water flows, all you can do is divert it. The area near the creek was once swamp, ask the developers of French Creek. 210gray.

Visitor - 6:05 PM

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Developers excavated and filled in an old creek bed that once split the land and now it's coming back to haunt them. Take a look at old maps/aerials online and you can clearly see the evidence. The developers are to blame!

SAbrainsurgeon - 5:25 PM

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I live in the neighborhood - but thankfully on the other side - actually 4 streets over in the middle of the "hill". I am sad for the families and hope all is well. There is a huge - 20 to 30 ft retaining wall behind the homes that are affected by this. This is not the first time this wall has failed - it failed several years ago when Centex first started developing that area. Shame on you Centex homes!

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