West Virginia Target closes after COLLAPSING on top of sliding ground as three families are forced to evacuate their homes near the crumbling hillside

• The Target in Barboursville was forced to close on February 2 when a hill gave way and part of the building slid away
• Shocking video shows a giant crack down the crumbled corner of the store 

A Target superstore in West Virginia has shut down after a slipping hillside caused it collapse, tearing off one corner of the building. 

Shocking video shows a giant crack in the corner of the store in Barboursville where the ground beneath has given way, causing it to fall free. 

The store closed on February 2 when the hill first slipped, and then when it slipped even further on Wednesday, the store was forced to shut its doors indefinitely. 

It’s not yet known what caused the slippage, but three families were evacuated from homes behind the Target, with the shopping chain covering their moving expenses.  

Target said they are working towards ‘removing the damaged portion of the store’ starting this week and will take ‘additional steps to prepare for construction in the coming months’.

A Target spokesperson told USA Today: ‘The safety of our team, guests, and neighbors is our top priority, and we are continuing to work on our Barboursville store to address the recent land movement.’

They added: ‘We continue to closely assess the condition of the site and partner with local officials to secure the area and repair the store as safely as possible,” added Target in their statement.’

Referring to the three homes that were evacuated, Target said ‘local officials notified nearby homeowners of the situation’  and that the company is ‘taking steps to support them.’

Barboursville Mayor Chris Tatum told WSAZ last week that there is not thought to be any danger to other businesses in the area and they will continue to be operational. 

But water supply to the area has been limited as authorities investigate the slipping hill and a West Virginia American Water spokesperson told WSAZ that the initial slip on February 2 had damaged its water main. 

Mayor Tatum said that the perimeter and roadway behind the building had also been significantly damaged.

In an update on Wednesday, Tatum took issue with crowds coming to see the damage. 

He said ‘looky loo’ outsiders were ‘invading the neighborhood’, writing on Facebook: ‘Yes the hillside is moving, yes Target knows it and is trying to keep people safe. 

‘For anyone invading the neighborhood of Meadowcreek, just know the majority of residents have voiced their displeasure of the extra traffic and looky loos. 

‘You would not like it either if people were turning around in your driveways or yards either. 

‘They fear for their homes safety from criminals in addition to structure damage. Law Enforcement will be diligent in extra patrols, but please give these people some privacy and the construction teams room to work. 

‘The safety of all affected is the number one concern.’