Ross Landslide Victim Still Waiting for Answers

It's been 2-and-a-half weeks since tons of mud, trees, and weeds , and much has changed.

For five days after the landslide, which began when a portion of Virginia Road collapsed after heavy rains on July 27, from against the rear of the home. 

"We stopped after five days, because as the excavator removed more mud, more of the hill would start to come down," said Bencsics. "There is now six feet of space between the bottom of the hill and our home. I don't think there's any immediate danger, unless there's another slide of course."

The question as to who is responsible remains very much in limbo. 

“On the advice of my attorney I cannot comment on who is responsible, or who is paying,” Bencsics said. 

Virginia Road is owned and maintained by . Commissioner Chris Eyster, who lives in the neighborhood, said Sunday the township met last week with a geotechnical expert who examined the site and is now repairing a report. 

"Once that report is back, the board of commissioners will have to decide how to proceed," said Eyster. "We've filed an insurance claim but it's still early in that process. Once we get the report, we'll forward it to our insurance carrier to see if they are going to cover this."

Keeping up with news in the North Hills is easy—simply sign up for our daily email newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

While Bencsics would not comment, a local insurance agent suggests his homeowner’s policy might not cover the damages. 

“Land movement is excluded from most basic homeowners’ policies in Pennsylvania,” said Donna Martin, and agent and customer service representative for Specialty Insurance in Slippery Rock. 

"At some point we are going to sit down with the homeowners and try to work this out," said Eyster. "Our objective is to work together and resolve this as soon as possible.