Ground gives way underneath Pasadena home after heavy rains

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Fire officials taped off a large home in Pasadena after the ground beneath it gave way due to the heavy downpours from this week's storms.

Mud began sliding down underneath a home in the 500 block of St. Katherine Drive, which also caused a retaining wall to come down Wednesday morning as strong rains saturated the ground.

Izidor Mesesan, a resident living down the hill from the home, said he was having his morning coffee when he heard noises. He looked outside and saw trees and pieces of the retaining wall in his backyard.

The fire department headed out to the scene and told Mesesan that he is safe, but they are checking on the conditions of the other home.

Mesesan said he and his family packed items and were ready to leave their home at a moment's notice.

"I'm concerned about my safety, especially my family because I have a son with special needs," he said. "It looks like we have more rain and I don't know if we're going to be safe or not."

Fire officials said the overly saturated ground could bring down trees, especially with any help from winds. Fire personnel and public works patrolled different parts of the city and other areas to make sure nothing similar took place.

At least three inches of rain were expected to fall in the area by the afternoon, which could cause more damage to the residence at the top of the hillside.