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ABC News
ABC News
National
Tony Ibrahim and Isobel Roe

Landslide starts to swallow home in Richmond Lowlands after NSW floods

Home along the Hawkesbury River in Richmond, NSW falls into hole after landslide

A home on the Hawkesbury River north-west of Sydney has partially fallen into a 6 metre-deep hole during a landslide, after flooding inundated the area in the past week.

Part of one room and the roof of the timber house in Richmond Lowlands were ripped away when the ground gave way about 10am Monday.

Timber and iron now lie in a crumpled heap halfway down the steep incline to the hole, being held up by electrical wires, while other debris has been washed down the river.

The property's owner of 53 years, Mike, lives in another house about 150m away and said he felt the ground moving.

The house's owner said the ground moved "like an earthquake". (ABC News)

"Rumble, like an earthquake and I could feel the vibration," he said.

"I didn't recognise the landscape. The truck was gone, the trees were gone, my fence was gone. Couldn't believe what I saw."

The State Emergency Service (SES) has cordoned off the area, which is about 100m long and is about the size of the damaged house.

It's the third time the riverfront property has flooded this year. (ABC News)

Mike said there was no one living in the house at the time, but that he was keen to stop the hole expanding and swallowing the home entirely.

"The next shower comes along my house will be gone. I am wondering what is going to be done now," he said.

"You can put rocks in there, a couple of metres of rock. This house can be saved.

"It's not easy, it is going to cost millions."

The owner says it's going to cost millions to save the house. (ABC News)

Mike said the landslide that damaged his house came after another one on Sunday, which had also sucked some outdoor equipment into the Hawkesbury River.

He said it was the third time his riverfront property had flooded this year, and the fifth time in two years.

The Hawkesbury River experienced its biggest flood since 1978 last week when it peaked at 13.93m, 13cm higher than the March 2022 peak.

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