A massive crater opened up at a gated community in Houston, leading to the evacuation of eight houses. The collapse occurred at Sutherland Terrace Place within the Memorial Green community in west Houston’s Memorial suburb. The Houston Fire Department responded to the scene and confirmed that nobody was injured, but as a precaution, eight homes were evacuated. Building engineers were also on-site to assess the damage caused by the collapse.
According to the Houston Fire Department, the collapse was the result of an underground floodwater cistern giving way. The collapse occurred following significant rainfall in the area, causing the structure to fail catastrophically. It was clarified that the crater was not the result of a sinkhole, but rather a man-made structure designed to hold floodwater in the vicinity. ABC 13 interviewed witnesses who described the moment when the ground started shaking as the hole emerged, leaving nearby residents shocked by the scale of the crater.
The responsibility for repairing the collapsed area falls on the community, as the incident took place on private property. The Memorial Green development, where the collapse occurred, began construction in 2016 and boasts exclusive gated community status, luxury homes, and a dynamic urban plaza. With 91 single-family homes, community parks, upscale restaurants, and various office and retail spaces spread over 14 acres, the development caters to a high-end clientele. The average home size ranges from 2,500 to 3,400 square feet, with prices starting at $1,279,000.
Houston had recently experienced severe weather conditions, including flash flooding, due to Hurricane Beryl making landfall. The storm caused significant destruction in the Caribbean before moving towards Houston, where it claimed the lives of 26 individuals and caused widespread damage. The total estimated cost of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl was $3.3 billion across the United States, the Caribbean, and Mexico. The storm resulted in heightened awareness of the need for proper infrastructure and planning to withstand the impact of extreme weather events.
The collapse at the Memorial Green development serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining structures and infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess the damage caused by the collapse. Plans for repairing the collapsed area are underway, with community stakeholders working together to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and properties within the affected vicinity. The incident highlights the unpredictability of natural disasters and the need for preparedness to mitigate their impact on communities.
