Power Cut Off to 140 Rancho Palos Verdes Homes Amid Landslide Risk

In a critical move to ensure public safety, Southern California Edison (SoCal Edison) has disconnected power to 140 homes in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes as ongoing land movement poses severe risks.

The power shut-off, initiated on Sunday, comes as the latest in a series of challenges faced by the community, which has already been grappling with gas service disruptions for weeks.

Landslide Danger Forces Power Shut-Off

The decision to cut power was driven by the continuing and unprecedented rate of land movement in the area, which has made conditions increasingly dangerous.

According to David Eisenhauer, a spokesperson for SoCal Edison, the power disconnection was necessary to protect both the residents and the utility’s crews working in the area.

“The land movement there has created such a dangerous situation that we must make that difficult decision to disconnect power indefinitely,” Eisenhauer stated.

“We have an obligation that’s higher than providing electric service, and that obligation is safety: safety of the community and safety of our teams.”

Evacuation Warnings Issued

In response to the power shut-off, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has issued an evacuation warning for the affected neighborhood.

Residents have been advised to prepare to leave, particularly those who may need additional time due to having animals, children, or other special needs.

“If you have animals, children, or need additional time evacuating, this is the time to leave,” the city announced on the social media platform X. An evacuation order, if issued, would require residents to leave immediately.

City Councilman Dave Bradley emphasized the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety of those who remain in their homes, noting that they would collaborate with the Sheriff’s Department to ensure safe evacuations if necessary.

Ongoing Infrastructure Challenges

The Portuguese Bend area has been experiencing land movement at an alarming rate, with measurements showing shifts of up to a foot per week.

This rapid land movement has caused significant infrastructure damage and has heightened safety concerns for residents, first responders, and city officials.

The recent power shut-off follows a previous disruption in gas service nearly a month ago, leaving residents like Mike Hong, who learned of the power shut-off just an hour before it was implemented, feeling abandoned.

“They are giving us even less time than the gas company,” Hong said. “Don’t abandon us. Where’s the humanity in this?”

Safety Concerns and Response Efforts

SoCal Edison’s decision to cut power was not taken lightly, as it followed a small fire incident on Thursday when a power line fell and ignited nearby vegetation on Narcissa Drive in Portuguese Bend.

Although the fire was quickly contained, it underscored the precarious nature of the situation.

“We know this is a difficult time for Rancho Palos Verdes and we’ve been looking for ways to keep the power flowing,” Eisenhauer said.

“At this point, land movement has created such a dangerous situation that we must make the difficult decision to disconnect power indefinitely.”

Despite the current power shut-off, Eisenhauer mentioned that there are no immediate plans to extend the disconnection to other nearby neighborhoods, although the situation remains fluid and under constant monitoring.

Mitigation and Support Efforts

City officials have highlighted the critical role of electricity in maintaining essential services such as telecommunications, sewer systems, and groundwater pumps that help mitigate the ongoing land movement.

Portable generators have been installed to keep the sewer system operational, ensuring that the area maintains some level of functionality amid the crisis.

Councilman Bradley stressed the need for external assistance to address the ongoing land movement effectively, noting that the problem exceeds the city’s capacity to manage alone.

“This is much bigger than the city itself, and without help from our partners at the county, state, and federal level we can’t come up with real solutions to retard the land movement,” Bradley said.

Addressing a Growing Crisis in Rancho Palos Verdes

The situation in Rancho Palos Verdes highlights the complex challenges posed by natural disasters and the critical importance of safety-first decisions, even when they come at the cost of essential services.

As residents face the ongoing threat of land movement and the resulting infrastructure challenges, it is clear that a coordinated response involving all levels of government will be necessary to mitigate the danger and support the community through this crisis.