Significant Land Movement Strikes Rancho Palos Verdes, Homes Safe
URGENT UPDATE: A significant land movement event struck Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday evening, causing alarm but fortunately resulting in no structural damage to homes. The latest reports confirm that while four backyards sustained damage due to soil movement, no injuries were reported, and homes remain safe.
Approximately 300 to 400 linear feet of coastal slope sloughed off, falling about 50 to 60 feet toward the Pacific Ocean, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This unsettling occurrence has drawn the attention of local authorities, who are investigating the cause of the land movement. In the meantime, residents are cautioned to avoid the shoreline where the movement occurred.
City officials clarified that this incident is unrelated to the ongoing land movement associated with the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, located about 4 miles southeast. That complex has historically wreaked havoc on multimillion-dollar homes, with a notorious history of devastating landslides since its triggering by road construction nearly 70 years ago. At that time, the landslide destroyed 140 homes and has continued to pose risks to the community.
As the community braces for potential impacts, evacuation warnings have been issued, and power and gas services have been cut off in certain areas as a precaution. The once slow-moving landslides have been exacerbated by recent torrential rains, leading to an acceleration of the movement. Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the affected region, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The city is actively urging the governor to expand California’s definition of emergencies to include landslides and events worsened by climate change, emphasizing the need for robust response strategies.
As developments unfold, residents and officials alike remain on high alert, monitoring the situation closely. Stay tuned for further updates on this pressing issue affecting the community of Rancho Palos Verdes.
