An escalating issue for residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a growing number of homes face the grim reality of shifting soil beneath them. It has been 10 weeks since the devastating landslides in Rolling Hills Estates destroyed nearly a dozen homes, and now two homes on the peninsula have been red-tagged, indicating they are currently uninhabitable. These circumstances have left residents in fear and concern for their homes, as they plead for help and wonder if declaring a state of emergency should be the next step.
A short drive through the Sea View neighborhood, and the problem becomes glaringly evident. Streets and sidewalks have shifted, while massive cracks are visible on several properties. Locals shared their understandable worry with news outlets. As Eva Albuja, who lives nearby the affected houses, told KTLA, “It’s rapid and we’re worried... We don’t want to leave our homes. We’ve been here over 20 years.”
One theory suggests that the shifting landscape of Palos Verdes may be due to rain-saturated soil sliding, which in turn forces old water pipes to burst and exacerbates the issue. A Daily Breeze article reports that residents of Rancho Palos Verdes and surrounding neighborhoods have seen accelerated cracking in their streets and property and damage to water pipes. They question whether a state of emergency should be declared to facilitate a faster response and marshal more resources to address the situation.
During a recent Rancho Palos Verdes City Council meeting, local authorities and utility company representatives tried to reassure worried residents that they were working on the problem. However, Councilmember Eric Alegria pointed out that this specific situation is unique and may warrant considering declaring a state of emergency, in order to access assets that could help expedite processes and address the issues.
Measures are already being put in place to tackle these challenges, such as California Water Service installing 35 leak detectors across the area. District Manager Ralph Felix informed the City Council that the team is working diligently to install and connect all the devices, though problems faced include spotty cell service in the region.
Residents, on the other hand, have expressed concerns about potential gas leaks, as well. In response, Ben Steinberger, Public Affairs Manager for the Southern California Gas Company, reassured the City Council that comprehensive safety measures are in place and infrastructure upgrades are scheduled to begin in early 2024. However, he also acknowledged that residents' concerns regarding leaks are valid and advised the operations team to continue prioritizing leak repairs.
Further highlighting the situation's severity, Jerry Duhovic, President of the Seaview Residents Association, stated that there was growing concern about a "catastrophic failure” in the neighborhood. As the situation unfolds in Sea View, there is an undeniable sense of urgency to address the issue and prevent further damage. Assistance is being offered by county officials, according to KTLA, but the question of whether declaring a state of emergency is the next necessary step remains unanswered, as local authorities weigh all possible pros and cons.
