Rancho Palos Verdes, a scenic city along the Los Angeles coast, is wrestling with accelerated landslides that have pushed the local government to declare a state of emergency. The recent shifts have caused significant damage to the infrastructure and homes in the area.
Rancho Palos Verdes is caught in a crisis as rapid land movement damages homes and calls for urgent mitigation measures, NBC News reported.
These landslides have historically moved land at about 8 inches a year. However, this rate has alarmingly increased to 13 inches per week between July and August in some regions. This unusual movement has raised concerns over the geological stability of the city situated on cliffs.
The escalation of the landslide phenomenon is primarily linked to intense rainfall over the last two years. This precipitation has exacerbated the already weak geological foundation of Rancho Palos Verdes, making effective water drainage a significant challenge. In response, Southern California Edison was compelled to cut electricity to some areas to minimize further hazards.
The most impacted neighborhood, Portuguese Bend, now sees 140 homes without electricity indefinitely. Meanwhile, approximately 60 homes in the Seaview area face a power outage for a week or longer. This drastic action aims to prevent accidents resulting from the ongoing geological shifts.
The state's response came swiftly with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency declaration on Tuesday. This decisive action highlights the severity of the situation and the urgent need for solutions to the city’s geological threats. Experts note that managing the landslide is complicated by its historical context. The land in Rancho Palos Verdes has been prone to such sliding since the 1950s, initially intensified by road construction activities.
Eric Fielding, an expert in geological instability, commented on the situation, "Eight inches a year is manageable, but now it’s moving so rapidly that extensive measures like road closures and utility shutdowns are necessary." Fielding’s remarks underscore the unpredictable nature of this geological challenge.
In the 1950s, similar challenges led to the implementation of solutions like drilling wells and aggressive water pumping to stabilize the area. "The landslide was moving even faster back then than it is today, but they managed to stabilize it largely," Fielded recalled. Today, the city faces the need for equally significant but potentially more advanced solutions to handle the increased landslide activity.
Jonathan Godt, another seasoned geologist, voiced concerns over the long-term predictability and management of landslides. "Basic physics dictates that once motion has started, it tends to continue," Godt explained. He elaborated on how geological phenomena could reactivate landslides, necessitating continuous monitoring and interventions.
The financial strategy post-declaration is centered on fortifying the city’s infrastructure against future landslides, rather than compensating homeowners directly. Mayor John Cruikshank clarified, “The funds will be allocated to supporting citywide landslide abatement efforts, but not to individual homeowners.”
Residents like Tim Kelly have adapted to the emerging challenges by employing off-grid solutions such as solar panels. Despite his 30 years in the community and seeing significant damage, Kelly remains resilient. “We’re resilient. We’re not going anywhere,” he affirmed, highlighting the spirit of the community amid adversity.
Kelly also voiced frustration over inadequate long-term mitigation strategies from the government. He stressed the necessity for effective solutions to manage water saturation, underscoring the need for proactive measures rather than reactive ones.
The ongoing instability in Rancho Palos Verdes serves as a stark reminder of the lingering risks posed by geological vulnerabilities. Calls from the public and experts for immediate and effective interventions continue to grow as the community strives to secure a stable future amidst shifting landscapes.
This situation not only impacts Rancho Palos Verdes but also offers important lessons on urban planning and disaster mitigation that could be relevant for other geologically unstable regions both nationally and globally.
