Unstable embankment found behind mobile homes after mudslide on Signal Mountain Road

Staff photo by Troy Stolt / City workers try to clear out limbs from a broken tree in the Signal Mountain Mobile Courts to inspect the slope behind the homes on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / City workers try to clear out limbs from a broken tree in the Signal Mountain Mobile Courts to inspect the slope behind the homes on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

An unstable embankment has been found behind a mobile home park on Signal Mountain Road on Thursday, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department.

The CFD's Special Operations Division arrived at the scene as EPB crews were out working to restore power to residents of Signal Mobile Courts and noticed the area had experienced a small mudslide, the release states.

The mobile home park is across the street from where a mudslide caused a Subway to collapse last year.

photo An area around the Signal Mobile Courts mobile home park is seen on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, after a mudslide caused an embankment to become unstable on Signal Mountain Road. / Photo provided by Lindsey Rogers with the Chattanooga Fire Department

John Erickson, who has lived at Signal Mobile Courts on and off for 30 years, says he has watched the hill slowly come down over that amount of time.

"I worry about leaving to go meet friends and coming back to my trailer covered up entirely," Erickson said. "Only reason the hill hasn't come all the way down is because of all the hard wood and vegetation keeping it where it is."

Officials expressed concern over the possibility of trees falling onto the trailers, and extra trees have been taken out from the ridge in an effort to keep residents safe, according to the release.

photo Local officials look at an area around the Signal Mobile Courts mobile home park on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, after a mudslide caused an embankment to become unstable on Signal Mountain Road. / Photo provided by Lindsey Rogers with the Chattanooga Fire Department

The city's Land Development Office is currently looking at the ridge and possible problematic areas. Officials have instructed the property owner, Edmonds Properties, on what actions need to be taken for several impacted residents to be able to stay in their homes.

The CFD says the situation is "directly related to the heavy rains the Chattanooga area has been experiencing" and has turned things over to the city and property owner.

photo An area around the Signal Mobile Courts mobile home park is seen on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, after a mudslide caused an embankment to become unstable on Signal Mountain Road. / Photo provided by Lindsey Rogers with the Chattanooga Fire Department

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