Million-dollar homes evacuated after huge sink hole opens up in luxury gated community in Houston

Texans living in million dollar homes got that sinking feeling on Saturday after the ground suddenly collapsed in the middle of their gated community.

Ground in a courtyard area of a Houston development known as Memorial Green suddenly appeared to give way.

Photos from the Houston Fire Department show a grassy area and nearby sidewalk subside about 10 feet during the collapse which appeared to happen without warning.

The ground shifted at about 8:30am and lead to the evacuation of eight homes surrounding the landscaped plaza of the condo community. Nobody was injured.

Fire officials suggested that persistent rain might have contributed to the incident. 

Building engineers were on the scene assessing the damage late on Saturday afternoon.

'That's a big hole. That's a really big hole,' shocked resident Rick Mckee said to ABC13.

Houston Fire Department Captain Beau Moreno explained how a cistern held flood water in the area. 

Following a huge amount of rain in the Houston area Moreno said that it appeared the cistern suffered a catastrophic failure.

'It's not a sinkhole,' Moreno explained. 'This is definitely a man-made structure under the ground designed to hold flood water in this area.'

Seeing as the ground collapse happened on private property, Houston Public Works has said the community will be responsible for the repairs. 

Built in 2016, Memorial Green, features luxury urban homes and includes 91 single-family homes, community parks, together with office and retail spaces spread over 14 acres. Prices for the homes start at $1.2 million.  

The closest structures around the area where the collapse occurred are described as three-story homes with 'beautiful exterior elevations, first-floor living, wood floors throughout,' and park views.