Landslide Threatens Rancho Palos Verdes, Power Cut Off to Ensure Safety of Residents

Rancho Palos Verdes Faces Landslide Challenges as Power is Cut Off to Homes

Residents living in Rancho Palos Verdes, a picturesque community located about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, are facing significant challenges as the land beneath them shifts due to ongoing landslides. The instability of the land has been a long-standing issue for the area, but recent conditions have forced utility companies to take precautions to avoid potential disasters.

Electricity Shut Off Amid Landslide Concerns

As part of their efforts to ensure the safety of residents, Southern California Edison, the local power utility, made the decision to cut electricity to 140 homes in the neighborhood of Portuguese Bend on Sunday. This measure was taken due to fears that the shifting landscape could lead to wildfires if power lines were to fall. In addition to the initial shut-off, another 105 customers were warned about potential power disconnections as the situation continues to evolve.

Rapid Land Movement Raises Alarm

The landslide in the area has recently escalated in speed, with some sections moving as much as 10 inches a week. City Council member David Bradley noted that the situation has accelerated dramatically over the past year, stating, “You can almost see the ground move.” The ongoing landslide has been characterized as one of the largest continually active landslides in the United States, and it has caused homes in the area to shift by hundreds of feet over the years.

Previous Emergencies and Current Developments

Local authorities are particularly wary after a downed power line sparked a small wildfire in Portuguese Bend last week. Larry Chung, a spokesman for the power company, explained that the decision to disconnect power was made to prevent further potential disasters, saying that “the land movement in the Portuguese Bend community has created such a dangerous situation.” In light of the changes, gas and water services have also been disconnected in the upscale neighborhood.

Calls for Assistance and Evacuations

As the situation worsens, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has publicly called for more support from state and federal governments, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. At a recent news conference, she mentioned that $5 million had been allocated for disaster relief in the area, but stressed that more resources are needed. She has urged California’s Governor Gavin Newsom to visit the community and consider declaring a state of emergency.

Although authorities are encouraging residents to consider leaving, evacuations are currently not mandatory. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated that law enforcement will deploy drones to monitor the ongoing situation and ensure public safety.

Residents Reluctant to Leave

Jim Denver, a local resident, voiced his determination not to leave, claiming that the power utility had abandoned them when he said, “Southern California Edison left us out in the middle of the ocean to swim home.” Similarly, another resident, Tom Keefer, expressed similar sentiments, declaring, “We’re not leaving” in the face of the warnings.

The Historical Context of the Landslide

This slow-moving landslide is part of a complicated network of ancient landslides that has been exacerbated by local infrastructure changes, including the expansion of Crenshaw Boulevard in 1956. The community has invested approximately $1 million annually to repair roads damaged by the continuous movement of the earth.

As the residents of Rancho Palos Verdes deal with these urgent challenges, the larger implications of the landslide raise questions about environmental safety and community resilience in the face of natural disasters.