Millionaire Washington state homeowners where mansions average $2M are forced ... trends now
Dozens of millionaire homeowners in Washington state were forced to evacuate their luxury properties on Mercer Island amid landslide and flooding risks due to a leaking underground water pipe.
On Wednesday night, residents of around 20 homes on Mercer Island, where mansions average $2 million, were told to leave their houses immediately without hearing any word on when the leak would be repaired.
A leaking underground water pipe created unstable soil conditions, putting homes at risk if the conditions were to worsen, the city explained in social media posts.
The leak occurred in the 24-inch high-pressure water pipe owned and maintained by Seattle Public Utilities. The unstable soil conditions were discovered uphill from the homes near 95th Court SE.
'We were knocking on their doors around 9 o'clock last night asking them to leave — not the greatest time to be knocking on their doors, they were absolutely graceful, appreciative,' City Manager Jessi Bon said.
Dozens of millionaire homeowners in Washington state were forced to evacuate their luxury properties on Mercer Island amid landslide and flooding risks due to a leaking underground water pipe on Wednesday
Residents of around 20 homes on Mercer Island, where mansions average $2 million, were told to leave their houses immediately without hearing any word on when the leak would be repaired.
The leak occurred in the 24-inch high-pressure water pipe owned and maintained by Seattle Public Utilities. The unstable soil conditions were discovered uphill from the homes near 95th Court SE
A geotechnical engineer reviewed the soil conditions on Wednesday afternoon and immediately informed officials of the landslide risk, according to the city.
Residents downstream of the leak, where homes are estimated to be worth more than $3 million, had to leave after 9 pm that day and gather at a community center.
Orange warning signs were taped on multiple property doors, reading, 'This structure has been inspected, found to be seriously damaged, and is unsafe to occupy.'
'It's minute by minute,' resident Andrew Hess told KIRO7. '[I was] A little panicked and not sure what was going on. But they assured us that they are taking every precaution they can. '
Meanwhile, Seattle Public
