Eric Russo, the executive director of the Hilliside Trust, was recently quoted in WCPO’s article – North Avondale residents launch construction project to halt devastating landslide.
He noted that while the residents had to opt for the less costly solution, it is still equally if not more effective than their initial idea to install pillars into the bedrock. This is one of the larger landslides that he has seen in Cincinnati, and that it is also unusual because it has affected a number of homes. He said that while landslides are a prevalent issue in the city, “they’re one of Cincinnati’s better kept secrets.” Russo described local landslides as a silent, insidious force, because they often do not become apparent until a retaining wall has to be taken down or a home is affected.
Eric was also quoted as saying:
“Yes, if they could have done a retaining wall and a drainage solution, that would have been optimum. But to do it this way, I think this is the first and most important thing they’d have to do, is get the water off the hill and divert it away from hill.”
“I am heartened by the fact that they’ve been willing to work with the neighbors to not make them put a retaining wall in but instead do a drain solution, which is far cheaper.”
As described in Identifying Landslides, the instability of Greater Cincinnati’s hillsides becomes more problematic due to excessive periods of precipitation, and construction methods that fail to address the underlying geology. Annually, the Greater Cincinnati region experiences millions of dollars in damages from landsliding, making it one of the more landslide susceptible areas in the country. You can download our Landslide Brochure to learn more about the types of landslides.
