Engineers continue to work to stabilize the ground beneath three homes in a northwest-side subdivision that was in danger of sliding away due to a massive slope shift. As construction continues, 25 families have been told that they are not yet allowed to return home.
Many residents are being told they'll have to stay in a hotel for at least a week. Some of these families tell KENS 5 that they live paycheck to paycheck, so the added expense of eating away from home is just another unexpected frustration.
For others, like Cachola family, the timing could not be worse. Maria Cachola says her mother will undergo surgery tomorrow. She will have to recover in the hotel room, Cachola said.
Meanwhile, Pulte Homes says its engineers assured the city that the wall was built to its specifications. But it's unknown if the city ever saw the engineers' report.
On Monday night, the city of San Antonio said that Pulte never got a permit for the retaining wall that led to the slope failure.
The city of San Antonio issued the following statement regarding the collapse in the River Mist Subdivision (read the statement in full via .pdf here):
"The hillside collapse yesterday within the River Mist subdivision that damaged several homes was a result of an improperly constructed retaining wall, as well as improper compaction of fill on which homes were constructed by the developer, Pulte Homes. The developer did not obtain the required City construction permits for the retaining wall that collapsed."
The developer Pulte homes, Inc., is the parent company of the River Mist subdivision's builder, Centex Homes.
Bulldozers patched holes in breaking foundations using dirt Monday afternoon. But many of the 80 families that live in the neighborhood say they are still wary of returning home.
As of Tuesday morning, 55 of the families have been allowed to return home. 22 families are only allowed to return for brief periods to take personal belongings. Three homes have been declared unstable.
Pulte Homes is paying for families to stay in hotels until they return can return home, San Antonio Fire Department officials say.
River Mist homeowners will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the natatorium near Stinson Middle School to discuss plans.
The Damage Done
Seven homes in the River Mist 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)
