Residents of the Portuguese Bend community in Rancho Palos Verdes are bracing for an impending disruption to their daily lives as SoCalGas prepares to cut off natural gas service to nearly 130 homes, citing "worsening land movement." The shutdown, set for 9 a.m. on Monday, is part of a response to safety concerns posed by ongoing geological instability, which has already damaged property and infrastructure in the area. According to a statement obtained by CBS News Los Angeles, the utility company has been forced to relocate pipelines, install new safety features, and increase inspections, yet the land continues to significantly shift.
The urgency to cease gas services comes amidst a deteriorating situation that has seen homes and iconic structures like the Wayfarers Chapel come under threat. An emergency declaration by Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier in the year underscores the gravity of the circumstances. Rancho Palos Verdes city officials are reportedly working with SoCalGas and are in discussions with the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the LA County Office of Emergency Management to explore the possibility of delaying shutoffs, if safe. Residents, feeling the pressure of such short notice, have expressed dissatisfaction with the abrupt timing. "Now, all the sudden, it's a emergency that they have to deal with in three days? I don't get that," Rancho Palos Verdes homeowner Gordon Leon told CBS News Los Angeles.
In contrast to the company's approach, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn highlighted the need for more preparation time for affected residents. "This is a big problem. I understand the risks, but I believe residents needed more time and better outreach to prepare for their gas to be disconnected," Hahn stated in a release by CBS News Los Angeles. Assistance and resources seem to be mobilizing, with initiatives underway to secure temporary housing and financial aid from various agencies.
An equally pressing concern is shared by the residents, who now face the near-impossible task of adapting their homes in the face of a three-day ultimatum. Bill Lockwood, a resident, underscored the challenge, telling ABC7, "It's an impossible timeline for anybody to be able to accomplish anything. A lot of the houses back there are older, they're gas water heaters, gas stoves, gas furnaces for heating in the winter time, and three days doesn't allow them to be able change out anything." In the community's time of need, Mayor John Cruikshank emphasized trust in the utility company while also seeking more time for residents to react. "We have to trust our partner, SoCalGas, we have to trust their judgement as well, but we need to work with them to try to get an extension to give more people time to react," Cruikshank said in a statement obtained by ABC7.
Lasting impacts of heavy rainfall earlier in the year are exacerbating the land issues, with trapped water accelerating the movement. According to Councilman Dave Bradley's observation to ABC7, the landslide has "accelerated exponentially" in recent months, with a pace increasing from inches per year to inches per week. While SoCalGas maintains that no gas leaks have been detected, their actions are guided by the paramount concern for public safety. "It's a horrible situation... We certainly did not want to do this, but in the efforts of keeping the public safe and our customers safe, that's our number one priority," said SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager Ben Steinberger in an interview with ABC7. Affected residents have been notified through the company's list of impacted streets, while SoCalGas continues to provide updates and answers to FAQs on its website. For customer service questions, impacted individuals can reach out by calling 1-877-238-0092 or emailing [email protected].
