WASHINGTON — Heavy thunderstorms and the possibility of flooding may worsen a dire situation in Fort Washington, Maryland.

“The rain certainly should be a concern,” says Maryland state geologist Richard Ortt. “Prince George’s County is going to be monitoring the situation very tightly.”

A piece of land on a hillside shifted last week. Soil became unstable, leading to severe damage to trees and infrastructure.

Twenty eight homes on Piscataway Drive remain under an evacuation order, and their owners are in the dark about what their future will hold.

Although geologists in Prince George’s County are still reviewing soil samples and studying what happened, Ortt believes heavy rain was the initial cause.

“What was likely the catalyst for this was a significantly wet spring,” says Ortt. “This rain certainly is not going to help this situation.”

Related Stories:

• Slope failure continues in Prince George’s County neighborhood
• Piscataway Drive remains closed after partial road collapse

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