An old, metal storm drain collapsed in Kensington overnight, causing a 4-foot-deep sinkhole that left one homeowner concerned about the future of his property.
The San Diego Police Department confirmed the formation of a sinkhole along the 4100-block of Rochester Road just before 11 a.m. Saturday. A city public works crew had been called to the area to evaluate the sinkhole; the storm drain where it originated was cordoned with yellow caution tape and orange traffic cones.
NBC 7 spoke with resident Tom Evons, whose home is near the sinkhole.
He said the storm drain that gave out was installed 50 years ago and had rusted and rotted out completely before collapsing. Evons said the city has been installing new, large concrete storm drains around his neighborhood but that work has not yet been connected to the section where his home lies.
“So [this sinkhole] has gauged out about a 14-foot gauge out of the canyon wall,” he explained.
Evons said he first spotted the sinkhole forming Friday night. He took photos of it to document its growth.
“We saw the stress fractures but the other sinkhole behind it started over four days ago,” he added.
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According to Evons, the storm drain that collapsed is one of several of its kind along the canyon wall, hidden somewhat by the vegetation. He said he’s been trying to work with the city since 2016 on the storm drain issue but hasn’t gotten very far.
“It’s been a frustrating process,” said Evons, adding that he was told it would be around four years before they could address the problem.
“They’re just too busy,” he added.
Evons said this sinkhole is proof that the problem is getting worse.
“It’s dramatic. It’s unnecessary,” Evons lamented. “They are letting our property and our neighbor’s property get destroyed because they don’t think it’s urgent enough to take care of. It’s an ongoing, slow trainwreck that has now reached the surface.”
NBC 7 has reached out to the City of San Diego Public Works Department for comment on the sinkhole on Rochester Road and we are awaiting a response. The department is not available to the media on the weekends.
