UPDATE: Slide reported behind Alki building

(Added: Photo sent by Laura)

9:18 PM: Another emergency callout right now, this time in the 1200 block of Alki. The SFD engine on scene reported that it’s a slide behind a building. Police are there too (added: note in the photo, that includes backup from outside Seattle); they’re calling in Seattle Public Utilities. This follows a record-rainfall day – 1.14 inches of rain at Sea-Tac, wettest May 30th on record.

ADDED 4:09 PM MONDAY: We went to the scene late this morning and also followed up with SPU. Above and below are our photos from behind 1210 Alki SW, but SPU’s Sabrina Register tells us the problem was actually uphill:

Seattle Public Utilities responded after midnight to reports of a water leak on California Lane SW. Water was temporarily shut off to about a dozen customers while crews investigated the source of the leak. After it was determined that the leak was on private property, water was restored to 11 customers. Crews continue to investigate to verify there’s no damage to SPU infrastructure.

A resident June 1, 2020 (7:27 am)

The water continues to stream through the night. It is clear that this is not due to rain and probably due to a broken water pipe. The situation has now become dire with 6-8 foot of mud collecting against the back of the buildings.

Neighbor June 1, 2020 (12:41 pm)

We are out of town but just heard about the slide can somebody tell us what’s going on?
- WSB June 1, 2020 (1:49 pm)
  
  We went over a while ago, various crews are on scene, but I don’t have official info yet.
  - Somewhat informed June 1, 2020 (1:57 pm)
    
    It was a broken pipe as the water on the entire street above was shut off for a while. It was restored earlier today, which hopefully means that the source of the leak is under control. I can’t speak to the state of the hillside.

A resident June 1, 2020 (3:12 pm)

The water has not stopped. The mud and water keeps falling, trees are breaking, and with each passing hour the risk of landslide increases. If they cannot stop the water soon, the entire hill can collapse.

WSB June 1, 2020 (4:11 pm)

Just added what SPU told us. They say the leak is on private property so hopefully the land/building owner has someone addressing …

Resident June 2, 2020 (7:13 am)

Neither the owner of the property nor the resident are doing anything. Although the leaking water service, on private property according to SPU, is turned off & has been for a couple days, water continues to flow and more and more material is being washed down the hillside. The corner of the house foundation at the top of the hill is now undercut and there are areas at the top of the slope that are “creeping” with some separation showing uphill. A lot more material is coming down if something isn’t done soon! Maybe even the house.

Can anybody help? June 2, 2020 (11:02 am)

It’s still going and no one is doing anything about it on the property. Can anybody help with who to call to keep the house from collapsing off the hillside? As someone who lives on California LN, I’m worried it’ll take the road with it.

WSB June 2, 2020 (11:08 am)

The city enforces safety codes etc. I would say start with them – the Dept. of Construction and Inspections. Try the violation line:
206-615-0808

Caveat, I don’t know if that’s a voice-mail # or what. The dept’s main # is 206-684-8600 and they might have advice.

neighbor June 2, 2020 (2:24 pm)

This is an on-going emergency (2:15pm) that is not being addressed. Can someone reach Lisa Herbold to have her come look and then assist in getting some sort of response?

Other resident June 2, 2020 (3:57 pm)

Update: Confirmed by SPU to be ground water (no ammonia, no fluoride present in the water) . Seattle Parks department has the ball now as they own the hillside, but can’t do anything until the hill stabilizes a bit. A geotechnical engineer is on the case.