Irondequoit Backyard Erodes Four Inches in Three Days as Landslide Worsens

Homeowners on Carlsam Drive face escalating costs to stabilize rapidly eroding ground behind their properties.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a flooded, eroding backyard with small homes dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the natural environment. The scene conveys a sense of the sublime power of the weather and landscape.As heavy rains and erosion threaten homes on Carlsam Drive, the natural forces of the landscape loom large, underscoring the vulnerability of the local community.Rochester Today

A landslide on Carlsam Drive in Irondequoit, New York has been steadily worsening, with the ground eroding four inches closer to one home in just three days. Homeowners Nary Rin and Dave Stafford are trying to get estimates on the cost to fill the eroded area, which experts say could range from $500,000 to $2 million. The erosion is being caused by a mix of factors, including heavy rainfall in March.

Why it matters

The rapid erosion behind the homes on Carlsam Drive highlights the growing threat of landslides in the region due to extreme weather events and unstable soil conditions. The high costs to stabilize the ground could force the homeowners to abandon their properties, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the local community.

The details

Measurements taken by a local news reporter show the ground has eroded four inches closer to one of the homes on Carlsam Drive in just three days. The homeowners, Nary Rin and Dave Stafford, are trying to get estimates on the cost to fill the eroded area, which experts say could range from $500,000 to $2 million. The erosion is being caused by a mix of factors, including a nearby creek turning into a pond due to heavy rainfall and fallen trees creating a small waterfall.

  • On Tuesday, the distance from the edge of the erosion to the base of the house was 9 feet and 8 inches.
  • On Friday, the distance had shrunk to 9 feet and 4 inches.

The players

Nary Rin

One of the homeowners impacted by the landslide on Carlsam Drive.

Dave Stafford

One of the homeowners impacted by the landslide on Carlsam Drive.

Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District

The agency that said the soil type found on Carlsam Drive is easily erodible.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's definitely areas of instability so it's getting worse, not as quickly in the last couple of weeks.”

— Nary Rin, Homeowner

“At this point, we really don't know. We're trying to move forward with getting estimates to do it properly, get engineers involved.”

— Dave Stafford, Homeowner

“Obviously the cost of that is more than the cost of both of our homes put together times 2.”

— Dave Stafford, Homeowner

What’s next

The homeowners are continuing to work with experts to get cost estimates for stabilizing the eroded ground behind their properties.

The takeaway

This landslide event highlights the growing threat of extreme weather-related disasters in the region and the high financial burden homeowners may face to protect their properties. It raises concerns about the long-term viability of homes in areas prone to soil erosion and the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies.