SAN ANTONIO -- Emergency officials say that even as families begin to move back into their neighborhood, a rescue effort is still needed to save several northwest-side homes from complete collapse.
Crews say a slope failure began Saturday morning at the Hills of Rivermist subdivision. The cause of the failure: a rapidly widening crack in a retaining wall.
Officials believe the crack was caused when water from an unknown source began seeping into the wall. The crack was widening at a rate of about four inches per hour, but officials believe that rate is slowing.
Emergency officials are attempting to strengthen the wall to keep the slide from continuing. Bulldozers are trying to patch the wall using more dirt, according to KENS 5's Joe Conger.
Families in 48 of the neighborhood's homes have been invited to return home, KENS 5's Chris Sadeghi reports. 25 families have been allowed to go into their homes with an escort, and another seven families have not been allowed to re-enter their homes.
Still, many of those families tell KENS 5 that they will not return until the area is secure.
Teams from Pulte Homes and SAWS are on the scene. Officials are searching for the source of the water leak. Soil samples are also being taken.
Third-party geotechnical and civil engineers reviewed the properties today, according to a news release from Pulte Homes. The company says it is continuing to investigate the cause and monitor the situation in collaboration with San Antonio city officials.
"Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our homeowners," said Damon Lyles, president of Pulte Homes’ San Antonio operations. "We are continuing to assist and support our homeowners with temporary lodging and food during this interim period of review while we simultaneously investigate the root cause of the issue at Rivermist."
One homeowner told KENS 5 that on Saturday, his home dropped by about three to four feet due due to the damage to the wall.
Dozens of homes have been evacuated from the neighborhood. Several rooms were booked Sunday night at the Drury Inn at 1604 and I-10 for residents, and the Red Cross is also assisting neighbors.
The neighborhood is still under construction by Centex, a division of Pulte Homes. KENS 5 has learned that many homeowners have lived in the neighborhood for less than a year.
Neighbors looking for more information about the state of their homes may call Pulte Homes at (210) 389-2042.
The Damage Done
Seven homes in the Rivermist subdivision are completely closed to homeowners as crews attempt to keep a retaining wall from collapsing -- and taking homes with it. Homes both above and below the wall are affected. (Graphic by Jeff Anastasio / KENS 5)
