Dozens of homes evacuated in San Antonio as ground below shifts; gaps are up to 15 feet deep

Homes evacuated in San Antonio after ground shift

SAN ANTONIO — Dozens of homes in San Antonio have been evacuated because the ground below is shifting.

Engineers are trying to determine what is causing the soil to give way, leaving crevices up to 15 feet deep and 8 feet wide in one part of the city.

Fire Department District Chief Nim Kidd says at least seven streets had to be closed since the soil starting shifting on Friday. Kidd estimates the ground has been slipping at the rate of about 4 inches an hour.

Authorities said Sunday that they also fear that two retaining walls could collapse as the ground continues to shift. About 80 homes have been evacuated on the northwest side of the Texas city.