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Sandra Yi ReportingDauneen Abel: "The name of the street up above is Spring Hill. I should have taken a clue."
Some homeowners in North Salt Lake are facing a geological nightmare. The land is slowly moving again and it's affecting some homes in the Springhill subdivision.
You may remember, the area was hit by a landslide nearly 10 years ago. Now, the damage to homes is getting so bad, some residents are moving out.
The people who live in one home on Valley View Drive don't know how much longer they'll be able to live there. The damage is significant and homeowners fear it's only going to get worse.
Dauneen Abel: "If the house burned down, we'd be better off (laughs)."
Laughter helps Dauneen Abel cope with a concerning situation.
Dauneen Abel: "It's worrisome. I try not to worry."
But all the damage is a constant reminder of what's happening. The land is slowly moving, without any concern for her home.
Dauneen Abel: "I've felt safe here. I just don't know how much longer I can feel safe here."
Geologists say in 1998 the area was hit with a landslide. That's when Abel noticed some damage to her home. But the drought spared them any more trouble. Now, with all the moisture, the land is moving again.
The Utah Geological Survey monitors the land monthly and has noticed slow movement in the past two years. At the Abel home, the damage seems to be getting worse.
Dauneen Abel: "These doors do not close at all. The carpet is pushing up in that corner. This is what scares me over here, because that crack is pushing everything out, and the vent used to be four or five inches away from the wall. I mean, if this goes, we're done for."
Outside, the concrete has shifted a couple of inches from the dirt and there are cracks in the foundation. Parts of the street are also buckling. But Abel says her neighbors next door have it worse.
Their garage door is slanted. The garage is also moving off its frame. The family bought the house last year and moved out yesterday.
A contractor urged Abel to evacuate, but her husband finds it hard to leave the home where they raised their family.
Dauneen Abel: "I can see why he wants to stay here, plus we don't have the money to go buy another house."
Abel hopes the city will buy the lots there to build a city park. The city manager says that is a possibility; in the meantime, they plant to closely monitor the land.
