Power Outages Continue in Rancho Palos Verdes Amid Landslide Threats
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. – A total of 105 homes lost electrical service on Monday as Southern California Edison (SCE) takes steps to manage the ongoing landslide threat in the area. This latest shutoff affected the Seaview district, following another incident the previous day where 140 homes in the Portuguese Bend community were also left without power, leaving residents on alert for possible evacuations.
Community Support and Services
In response to the outages, SCE set up a Community Care Vehicle at the intersection of Narcissa Drive and Fruit Tree Road to assist affected residents. The vehicle will continue to provide support at the Ladera Linda Community Center at 32201 Forrestal Drive from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, particularly for Portuguese Bend community members. Residents in Seaview are currently not under an evacuation warning, offering them some peace of mind.
City officials noted that unlike the Portuguese Bend neighborhood, Seaview’s sewage system, which is gravity-fed and maintained by the LA County Department of Public Works, is not presenting any immediate health risks despite outages.
Evacuation Readiness
Residents in Portuguese Bend are advised to stay prepared for potential evacuation, although many remain in their homes thanks to backup power sources. Nonetheless, numerous concerns have been raised about rising crime, as local resident Jim Denver fears that looters might take advantage of their vulnerable situation. He expressed frustration with SCE, feeling abandoned by them and anxious about future costs should they require restoration of service.
Land Movement and Infrastructure Concerns
Rancho Palos Verdes has seen a significant increase in land movement across approximately 680 acres due to heavy rainfall earlier this year, leading to infrastructure damage, road issues, and even the need for some homes to be red-tagged as unsafe.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn highlighted the enormity of the situation during a recent news conference, stressing that this crisis is affecting more than just Rancho Palos Verdes. She has pledged additional financial resources including $5 million from county funds to help with the ongoing disaster response, while also advocating for more support from the state.
Emergency Response Efforts
California’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating responses with local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to tackle this unfolding situation. During ongoing discussions, they are formulating plans to address future needs as land movement remains a critical issue.
The city had previously declared a local emergency and is now seeking a formal state acknowledgment of this disaster. Supervisor Hahn has pointed out that the situation may necessitate upwards of $1 billion in government funds to adequately respond to the challenges posed by the ongoing land movement.
Utility Service Disruptions and Repairs
This week’s power interruptions add to a growing list of complications for residents. A prior gas service shutoff by Southern California Gas Company affected 135 homes in the community, with precautions taken due to worsening land movement potential. Residents had to scramble to secure alternative energy sources while attempting to stay in their homes amidst escalating threats.
Conclusion
As of now, the local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, while also working on solutions to protect residents from further disruption and potential dangers. Generators have been installed to keep certain essential services running, while law enforcement is employing drones to help prevent any criminal activities that could arise as residents vacate their properties.
This ongoing saga in Rancho Palos Verdes highlights a unique blend of natural calamity and the communal resolve to support one another amid uncertainties. For updates on the situation, residents are encouraged to frequently check local resources and community announcements.
