Report: Clay, rain caused slow-moving Fort Washington slide

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. – The heavy rain mixed with Marlboro clay is what a new report says is to blame for triggering a slow moving landslide in Fort Washington.

A slope began to give way on Piscataway Drive on May 4. Since then, 28 homes have been evacuated; 6 of them are considered uninhabitable.

The KCI Technologies report urges immediate action to stop the moving ground and presents three option to do that. The report says more movement is possible as water moves into crack openings at the site.

The plans include slope regrading, drilling anchors and, in one solution, erecting an eight foot wall to support the slope.

The 200-page technical report doesn’t give residents any idea when they will be allowed to return home. With some homes damaged and other inaccessible because the road is out, many have been forced to find somewhere else to live for the last 18 days.

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