Sinking California Subdivision Owners File Claim

Homeowners in a sinking Northern California subdivision have filed claims against the county, alleging a leaking county water system is to blame.

The landslides have made eight homes in the Lake County subdivision uninhabitable and placed the owners of 10 more homes under the threat of evacuation.

The claims represent 41 property owners and were filed in late June. They each seek more than $5 million.

A claim is the first step toward a lawsuit.

Attorney Michael Green, who is representing the homeowners, says that even homeowners with houses not damaged are facing an economic disaster because they are unable to sell.

The county has 45 days to respond to the claim. County officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.