California: Landslide Rips Homes in Rolling Hills Estates

Luxury homes located in Southern California's Palos Verdes Peninsula experienced significant damage on Monday because of a destructive landslide, per AP.

The aftermath left a chaotic scene of collapsed roofs, shattered walls, tilted chimneys, and decks precariously hanging over an adjacent canyon.

The landslide originated in Rolling Hills Estates in Los Angeles County. It began with the emergence of cracks in structures and the ground on Saturday.

Following the occurrence, twelve homes were deemed unsafe and red-tagged, prompting residents to evacuate within a mere 20-minute timeframe.

Throughout the weekend and into Monday, the destruction accelerated rapidly.

Janice Hahn, the Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the area, described the situation as rapidly unfolding, with audible sounds of shifting and movement occurring every minute as homes continued to be impacted.

Initially, it was believed that all the red-tagged homes were experiencing sliding. However, Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis clarified that ten were actively moving by Monday afternoon. At the same time, an additional 16 were under observation but had not required evacuation, as explained in an email statement.

Some Residents Feel Something Is Wrong a Few Days Back

Residents in the affected area have expressed that they sensed something was amiss as early as last Thursday, with reports of hearing cracks in their homes throughout the day and night, ABC 7 noted.

The frequency of these sounds increased over time, leading to a growing concern among neighbors.

There is currently no action that can be taken to prevent further collapse of the homes still actively impacted by the landslide, Hahn said.

Authorities are patiently waiting for these structures to reach their final resting place at the bottom of the ravine.

Hahn tweeted that she would meet with residents later to discuss the next steps in addressing the situation.

City and county officials, including the LA County assessor and the mayor of Rolling Hills Estates, conducted a walk-through in the affected area on Monday afternoon to assess the situation firsthand.

Mayor Britt Huff of Rolling Hills Estates expressed surprise at the unusual nature of the event, considering its inland location away from the California coast.

The unpredictability of the situation has left residents feeling anxious, as they fear a similar incident could occur in their neighborhoods.

Determining the exact cause of the landslide will require further investigation. Some residents have speculated that an ongoing water leak may be responsible, citing unusually high water bills and reports of leaks in one homeowner's property.

Geologists and soil experts will be present to analyze the situation and provide reassurance or information to concerned residents awaiting the fate of their properties.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maronne urged any homeowners who feel uncomfortable or unsafe to evacuate for a week or two.

Southern California Is Prone to Landslide, According to Experts

Southern California is prone to landslides due to its geographical position along a significant tectonic plate boundary and its complex geological characteristics, as noted by the US Geological Survey and the California Geological Survey.

The region experiences various types of landslides, including rapid debris flows triggered by heavy rainfall, as highlighted in a report by the USGS.

Hahn suggested that the recent landslide could be linked to the heavy rainfall, which caused underground water to create a fissure, ultimately leading to the homes collapsing into the nearby canyon, according to ABC News.

Rolling Hills Estates is situated on the northern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, as indicated by data from Google Maps.

The area has a history of landslides, including a significant event in 1956 that resulted in the destruction of 140 homes in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Rolling Hills Estates landslide destroys 10 homes, threatens many more - From ABC7