FORWARD TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A gaping hole threatens to bring at least four homes in Forward Township crashing to the ground.

The state Department of Environmental Protection will be at River Hill Road Wednesday to assess how the hill can possibly be shored up.

The hole just gave way Tuesday and residents said it had them fearing for their homes and their own safety.

Resident Ron Santello said, "It was just a wave of slush, black, trees, rocks, debris and it sounded like freight train."

The state DEP said it does not know how stable the slope is.

However, if the hill collapses, it could cause massive flooding.