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As more rain fell in Camp Springs, those who live on the edge of the Yorkville road sinkhole said they're scared of how much more land around their homes will give way.
Already five homes have been deemed unsafe or uninhabital.
"It's been hard but at this point, you know, it has happened. About all we can do is pray at this point," said resident Douglas Pfaff.
County Executive Jack Johnson along with the Director of the County Department of Environmental Resources were the latest parade of officals to tour the damage left behind by the sinkhole and to pledge support.
"At the end of the day we want to know what happened and what were the contributories to the things that happened," said Johnson.
They also announced findings of a preliminary investigation conducted by engineering contractors. According to the report, an eroding streambed, Henton Creek, back in the woods behind the homes may be to blame for creating a void under the whole area.
"Looks like there is a cause that happened over a year possibly 50 years since this community was developed and just over night because of that terrential rain and we're classifying that as a 50 year storm, did this void occur," said Charlie Wilson with Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources.
As for a second hole across the street, "We have some theorys that it could be a decaying tree trunk which is right next to the hole where there could have been an old septic," said Wilson.
Residents said they're pleased with the immediate response so far, but are waiting for follow through.
"If this is the end of it and the representatives come out and everyone says 'Oh this is terrible, something should be done", but in the end nothing is done, then no, we will not be satisfied," said Joy Alford.
Most of the neighborhood gathered Thursday to demand action from the state and county government. They were very clear about what they wanted.
"A drainage system, and our yards put back together, that'd be it," said resident Dexter Allen.
State Senator C. Anthony Muse was among those summoned by the neighbors. He listened, peered into the hole and offered help.
"We're going to go every route that there is so that what we can restore these homes and these homeowners."
Engineers from the county and officials from the State Emergency Management Agency said it's too early for promises. The sinkhole hadn't yet been explained and it is all on private property. They said they weren't sure where government responsibility begins and ends. Of course, that's not what residents wanted to hear.
"We need to know that we who live on Yorkville road can remain in our homes safely," said a resident.
One of the homes affected by the sinkhole belonged to the Pfaff family. They spent Tuesday night moving out two generations of heirlooms from their Camp Springs home. "It came up to the foundation of our house. Our brick patio use to sit up six feet. It dropped down along with the sidewalk that went over to our carport," said Douglas Pfaff.
The Pfaff's were eagerly awaiting to see what the sinkhole that opened up during the storms Sunday would do next.
A second sinkhole developed right across the street from them Wednesday. "There's obviously a very serious problem here and it needs to be solved. We need to know why this happened," said Kathleen Pfaff.
"It does raise concerns. It is on higher ground and we have no support in the back of our house, so if anything on the other side of the road starts to give there could be a chance the house would go in," said Douglas Pfaff.
The second sinkhole didn't compare to the massive one that opened up Monday, swallowing four backyards along Yorkville Road in Camp Springs. In some spots the first sinkhole reached half the length of a football field. Now residents are nervously eying the second hole too.
"It started out small. It's expanded now 24 to 26 inches and angling down hill," said Pfaff.
So far, two homes have been deemed unlivable and three homes are considered safety hazards following the recent heavy rain, and more is expected to fall. The Pfaff's fear if that happens their house could possibly collapse.
Danny Walsh lived right next door to the Pfaff's and said the monster sinkhole swallowed his backyard. "The other people up from me can't stay, at least I have the option. I'm not afraid. I'm going to stay," he said.
Dana Marshall and her family couldn't go far from home because the only road in and out of her neighborhood was covered in 10 feet of water. Her husband used a raft to get supplies. "I'm not so afraid to let them outside now because I was afraid they'd get out and get into the water," Dana said.
As for the Pfaff's, they say, "We're trying to be realistic. Every minute is important because at any time the county could come in and say get out it's going over."
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