Hercules Declares Emergency Over Creeping Landslide

HERCULES (CBS/AP) - A crumbling hillside that is threatening eight homes in Hercules has prompted city officials to declare a local emergency.

The City Council approved the declaration on Tuesday after affected residents told council members they needed help.

Homeowners near the 200 block of Carson Street can now apply for federal aid while the city can seek federal and state assistance.

The hill began moving after a series of rain storms last week. Though the rain has stopped, city officials said four of the homes have been damaged and declared uninhabitable.

Crews have erected barricades to try to keep those homes from falling.

Residents of the other four homes have been advised to vacate until the hillside can be shored up.

The recent rains also caused a landslide in the nearby city of San Pablo that has also affected homes.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)