Posted on 12/13/2012 3:22:56 PM PST by nickcarraway
Rock missed home's propane tank by 12 feet
A large boulder rolled into a Poway house Thursday morning, crashing into the home's garage and crushing multiple pipes along the way, fire authorities said. Authorities were called to the home in the 13700 block of Vian Road after a six-by-six-foot rock rolled down a hill, ripping through a tree before coming to a stop inside the home's garage.
Resident JeNielle Rose-Gendelman has lived in the home for 54 years and was in the room next to the garage when she heard the loud crash.
"I went into the garage and I saw the washing machine on the floor and then I looked over and saw the rock and couldn’t believe it," she said. Crews said the boulder missed the propane tank outside the home by about 12 feet. However, the rock broke propane lines and other pipes in its path.
Rose-Gendelman was not injured by the boulder, but was still shocked when she spoke to NBC 7 about the rock. She said her dog typically sleeps in the garage, but was fortunately inside the house with her at the time. "It’s a big mess, and a big boulder, and I don’t know how it’s going to get out," she said through tears. "I mean, how incredible! I haven’t even had time to call my friends and ask them to pray for me."
Coincidentally, this is the second boulder that has rolled near Rose-Gendelman's house. The first one was smaller and didn't damage any structures, unlike this one. Gendelman said she has insurance and hopes to get her house repaired. Though she said she doesn't want to move away from the home her father built himself 54 years ago. Kevin Hitchcock, Poway Fire Department division chief, said he did not know where the boulder came from. Up the hill, though, a trail of crushed debris led to another boulder.
"All of a sudden this boulder started coming down, but no cause, I have no idea why that rock would have come down today."
Fire crews became concerned about a strong odor coming from the home shortly after they arrived. They said it was a mix of gasoline, pesticides and propane, possibly mixed by the many broken pipes in the rock's path. The common pesticide malathion was spilled in the garage near where the boulder was resting. A Hazmat crew was putting bleach on the substance to neutralize it. A city inspector and fire crews are investigating the home. The inspector told NBC 7 that the water main is also broken.
The area was heavily impacted by Thursday's rain storm, which soaked the area and left the ground muddy. The city inspector said the home is stable and safe enough for Rose-Gendelman to be inside.
This isn't the first time San Diegans have seen the dangerous scenario. In January 2010, a boulder crashed into a Vista home.
Also, in February 2000, a huge boulder smashed into a Rancho San Diego house during heavy rains. The 140-ton boulder did so much damage it took days for crews to remove it by drilling holes in the granite and breaking it up into smaller pieces.
Duh. You live at the bottom of a hill then you can expect what’s up hill must come down. Where is came from is easy - up the hill. Why it came down is also easy - erosion and gravity.
I used to live up the hill from there in Ramona back in my Navy days. I remember coming around a bend on Hwy 67 early one foggy morning and finding a 12 foot diameter boulder sitting in the right lane. Woke me right the heck up. I think it had to be dynamited and hauled off in multiple dump trucks.
“All of a sudden this boulder started coming down, but no cause, I have no idea why that rock would have come down today.”
G-r-a-v-i-t-y.
Why is this a surprise. Poway is full of huge boulders. Many homes are nearly surrounded by them. Why is this even a story considering the area?
Erosion Always Wins.
+ rain + erosion
Yep. Lots of factors at work.
I wonder what something like that weighs? Personally, I’d be checking what else is up on that hillside, ready to come rolling down, before I rebuilt the garage. Might be cheaper, in the long run, to move the house. Just saying.
The weight was tremendous.
I have seen people send boulders like this down Mt sides.
The ground literally shakes.
I can only imagine. I’ve been thru earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, but never a full-blown avalanche. If you’re in the path, you might just as well kiss you azz goodbye.
Now that’s what you call real rock n roll.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.