KIROTV.com News 

Story


Landslide Destroys Gig Harbor Garage, 2 Vehicles

Posted: 12:59 pm PST November 16, 2009Updated: 2:21 pm PST November 16, 2009

Tons of dirt and mud wiped out a two-car garage after a huge landslide in Gig Harbor early Monday.

The steep slope on 29th Street Court Northwest near Shawnee Drive gave way around 1:30 am., causing hundreds of yards of dirt and mud to crash into the garage of a two-story home.

WATCH IT: Vehicles, Garage Encased By Mud After Landslide
UNCUT: Chopper 7 Over Gig Harbor Slide

The force of the mudslide caused a pick-up truck parked in the driveway to go inside of the garage, which lost its roof in the slide.

Another vehicle is also underneath mounds of mud in the garage.

The homeowners were not injured and they are staying somewhere else while they try to figure out what to do, neighbors said. It appears their home was spared.

Officials don’t know what caused the slide, but one theory is the possibility of heavy rain saturating the hillside causing it to give way.

One neighbor told KIRO 7 reporter Jeff Dubois that he was out when utility crews were there and was told a water main underneath the hillside burst, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

Another theory is the newly-patched road above the slide.

"It had washed out and so like a month-and-a-half ago they had just completed the work and they said it was fine; everything was fine,” said neighbor Nicole Bratrude.

When asked if she thought the new road was related to the slide she said, “I don't know. It's the second time they've repaired it, so it will be interesting to find out."

Geologists are expected to come Monday afternoon to examine the slide and see if the road is stable enough for drivers.

More Headlines

SeattleInsider

SeattleInsider takes you on a preview tour of Bon Jovi's state of the art stage set that will be used during "The Circle Tour 2010." Full Story ››